Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in rats alters gut microbiota profile along the intestine.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery might modify the gut microbiota composition differently in the three distinct anatomical sections of the small intestine compared to sham surgery. We showed that RYGB induced changes in the microbiota of the alimentary limb and the common channel resembling those seen after prebiotic treatment or weight loss by dieting. These changes may be associated with altered production of intestinal hormones known to control energy balance. Postsurgical modulation of gut microbiota may significantly contribute to the beneficial metabolic effects of RYGB surgery.