title: Vagal Blocking for Obesity Control: a Possible Mechanism-Of-Action.
abstract: Recently, the US FDA has approved "vagal blocking therapy or vBLoc® therapy" as a new treatment for obesity. The aim of the present study was to study the mechanism-of-action of "VBLOC" in rat models.
  
  
  
  Rats were implanted with VBLOC, an intra-abdominal electrical device with leads placed around gastric vagal trunks through an abdominal incision and controlled by wireless device. Body weight, food intake, hunger/satiety, and metabolic parameters were monitored by a comprehensive laboratory animal monitoring system. Brain-gut responses were analyzed physiologically.
  
  
  
  VBLOC reduced body weight and food intake, which was associated with increased satiety but not with decreased hunger. Brain activities in response to VBLOC included increased gene expression of leptin and CCKb receptors, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor β1 in the brainstem; increased CCK, somatostatin, and tyrosine hydroxylase in the hippocampus; increased NPY, AgRP, and Foxa2 in the hypothalamus; and reduced CCKb receptor, melanocortin 4 receptor, and insulin receptor in the hypothalamus. Plasma concentrations of CCK, gastrin, glucagon, GLP-1, and PYY and gastric acid secretion were unchanged in response to VBLOC.
  
  
  
  Based on the present study, we may suggest that VBLOC induces satiety through vagal signaling, leading to reduced food intake and loss of body weight.
authors: Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Helene
authors: H
authors: Johannessen
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Revesz
authors: Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Yosuke
authors: Y
authors: Kodama
authors: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.
authors: Nikki
authors: N
authors: Cassie
authors: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Karolina P
authors: KP
authors: Skibicka
authors: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.
authors: Perry
authors: P
authors: Barrett
authors: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Dickson
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Holst
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Rehfeld
authors: Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: van der Plasse
authors: Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Adan
authors: Center for Obesity Research, Department of Surgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Bård
authors: B
authors: Kulseng
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Elinor
authors: E
authors: Ben-Menachem
authors: Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Chun-Mei
authors: CM
authors: Zhao
authors: Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. duan.chen@ntnu.no.
authors: Duan
authors: D
authors: Chen
keywords: Body weight; Food intake; Gut-brain axis; Rats; Vagus nerve