Effects of cutaneous gastric electrical stimulation on gastric emptying and postprandial satiety and fullness in lean and obese subjects.

GOALS

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of cutaneous gastric electrical stimulation (CGES) at a tachygastrial frequency for obesity.

BACKGROUND

Implantable gastric electrical stimulator has been proposed for the treatment of obesity and it has recently been reported that the gastric electrical stimulation at a tachygastrial frequency inhibits gastric motility.

STUDY METHODS

Ten lean and 10 obese healthy volunteers were studied in 3 randomized sessions: no CGES, CGES at the physiologic frequency (3 cycles/min), and CGES at tachygastrial frequency (12 cycles/min). Electrical stimulation was performed using sinusoidal waves. The protocol included the following sequence: 20-minute baseline, 30-minute CGES, 30-minute recording without CGES, 30-minute CGES, ingestion of a 500 kcal liquid meal, and 30-minute CGES. Gastric slow waves were recorded using cutaneous electrogastrography during the periods without CGES. Gastric emptying was assessed by ultrasound. Dyspeptic symptoms were recorded.

RESULTS

(1) The half-time of gastric emptying was longer with CGES at the tachygastrial frequency than CGES at the physiologic frequency in both lean subjects (75.0+/-16.5 min vs. 41.0+/-8.7 min, P<0.01) and obese subjects (64.1+/-13.3 min vs. 32.7+/-5.0 min, P<0.01). (2) Postprandial dyspeptic symptom score (mainly satiety and fullness) was significantly higher with CGES at the tachygastrial frequency than CGES at the physiologic frequency in both lean (3.2+/-1.47 vs. 1.7+/-0.94, P<0.01) and obese (3.9+/-1.89 vs. 1.8+/-1.15, P<0.01) subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

CGES at a tachygastrial frequency enhances postprandial fullness and satiety, and delays gastric emptying. Its therapeutic potential for obesity needs to be studied.