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

Abstract

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.