Peptide YY release after colectomy in slow transit constipation.

Background: The gut hormone peptide YY is abundant in the colonic mucosa. Circulating PYY inhibits gastrointestinal motility and decreases food intake. The aim was to determine whether colectomy decreases PYY release in patients with slow transit constipation. Methods: Plasma PYY concentrations were measured in 10 patients with slow transit constipation before and 3–24 months after total abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, and in 8 healthy controls. A liquid meal was infused intraduodenally to stimulate PYY release. Results: Postprandial PYY significantly (P < 0.05) increased from a basal value of 15.6 ± 1.8 pM to a peak of 71.2 ± 11.6 pM after colectomy. Basal and postprandial plasma PYY concentrations were not significantly different from the results before surgery. Fasting, but not postprandial, plasma peptide YY after colectomy was significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers, 10.9 ± 0.9 pM. Conclusion. Despite removal of a major source of PYY‐secreting cells, colectomy with ileor...