Total gastrectomy-induced reductions in food intake and weight are counteracted by rikkunshito by attenuating glucagon-like peptide-1 elevation in rats.

Background Decrease in appetite and weight after total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer leads to a decrease in quality of life, increased mortality, and may necessitate discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to determine whether rikkunshito, a Japanese herbal medicine, increases food intake and weight after gastrectomy in rats. Methods Male rats underwent gastrectomy followed by roux-en-Y reconstruction or sham operation and were then treated with rikkunshito for 14 days starting on postoperative day 3. Daily food intake, weight, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and ghrelin levels were measured. A pilot study to measure pre- and postoperative plasma GLP-1 levels was conducted in patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Results Administration of rikkunshito after gastrectomy in rats significantly increased food intake and weight, which continued for at least 2 weeks after treatment. Both fasting and postprandial plasma GLP-1 levels were increased markedly after gastrectomy compared with sham-operated animals. Increased GLP-1 levels in rats after gastrectomy were suppressed markedly by rikkunshito. rikkunshito had no significant effect on plasma ghrelin levels after gastrectomy. Treatment with a GLP-1 receptor antagonist significantly improved food intake and weight after gastrectomy. Plasma fasting GLP-1 levels in patients with gastric cancer were increased greatly after gastrectomy on postoperative day 1. Conclusion Administration of rikkunshito suppresses plasma GLP-1 levels after total gastrectomy, which is associated with recovery from reduced food intake and weight in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]