Effects of the partial gastrectomy associated to anterior truncal vagotomy in the metabolism of the iron in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the partial gastrectomy associated to anterior truncal vagotomy in the absorption and metabolism of iron. METHODS: Eighteen adults male Wistar rats were submitted to the partial gastrectomy associated to anterior truncal vagotomy (eight animals) and the sham operation (10 animals, control group). The diet consumption and the weight gains of the animals were monitored three times during the week. The animals received supplements of vitamin B12, for the prevention of the megaloblastic anemia, and a formulated experimental diet orally and denominated AIN-93M by 8 weeks. The fecal iron, apparent absorption of the iron, haematocrit, haemoglobin and serum iron were measured after 60 days. RESULTS: The animals undergoing sham operation presented larger statistical averages (p<0.05) for the diet consumption, weight gains, apparent absorption of iron, haematocrit, haemoglobin and serum iron compared to the gastrectomized group. However, the excretion of iron in feces was larger in the gastrectomized group (+14.3%) (p