Gastric electrical-stimulation effects on canine gastric emptying, food intake, and body weight.
OBJECTIVE
It has been reported that electrical stimulation at the distal stomach can disrupt intrinsic gastric electrical activity and delay gastric emptying. Gastric dysrhythmia and impaired gastric emptying are associated with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and weight loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-frequency/long-pulse gastric electrical stimulation (GES), at proximal and distal stomach, on canine gastric emptying, food intake, and body weight.


METHODS
Eight dogs were surgically implanted with four pairs of electrodes along the greater curvature and a gastric tube at the dependent part of the stomach. Liquid gastric emptying at baseline, during proximal and distal GES at 6 cycles per minute, was assessed first by a dye dilution technique. Proximal and distal GES were then randomly delivered during feeding for 10 consecutive days, and food intake and body weight were recorded daily.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in gastric emptying parameters among the various sessions. The mean daily food consumption was significantly reduced during both sessions of GES, resulting in significant immediate weight loss. Percentage weight loss was comparable between both sessions of GES.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term GES significantly reduced canine food intake and weight. This effect may not be related to changes in gastric emptying. GES may have a potential role in the treatment of obesity.
Xing
JinHong
J
Department of Gastroenterology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Ohio 44195, USA.
Brody
Fredrick
F
Brodsky
Jason
J
Rosen
Michael
M
Larive
Brett
B
Ponsky
Jeffrey
J
Soffer
Edy
E
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004285:Dogs; D004435:Eating; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors