Effect on gastric emptying and weight reduction of botulinum toxin-A injection into the gastric antral layer: an experimental study in the obese rat model.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the effects of Botox-A on weight loss and gastric emptying in an experimental obese rat model. Although there is evidence of weight loss in normal-weight rats after Botox-A injection, there are no studies indicating the effect of Botox-A injection on weight loss and gastric emptying time in obese rats.


METHODS
37 female Wistar Albino rats were given high calorie diet for 90 days. They were separated into 3 groups. The first group (Botox group) consisted of 15 obese rats whose gastric antrum was injected with 20 U of Botulinum Toxin Type A. The second group (Saline group) consisted of 15 obese rats whose gastric antrum was injected with 20 U of saline. The third group (Control group) had no surgical intervention. Gastric scintigraphy was performed in the 3 groups pre- and postoperatively.


RESULTS
The saline group had a weight reduction in the early postoperative days but began to gain weight thereafter. The mean weight of the Botox group between the 16th and 28th days postoperatively was significantly lower than the mean weights of the control and the saline groups (P<0.05, P<0.001). The results of gastric emptying scintigraphy in all 3 groups at day 20 revealed significantly higher T1/2 values in the Botox-A group when compared to the results of the control and saline groups (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Botox-A application to the gastric antrum in obese rats leads to weight loss by increasing the gastric emptying time.
Coskun
Halil
H
General Surgeon of 3rd Surgery Clinic, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. halilcoskun@hotmail.com
Duran
Yasin
Y
Dilege
Ece
E
Mihmanli
Mehmet
M
Seymen
Hulya
H
Demirkol
Mehmet Onur
MO
D000818:Animals; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D007267:Injections; D023421:Models, Animal; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A