Vagal Blocking for Obesity Control: a Possible Mechanism-Of-Action

• Recently, the US FDA has approved "vagal blocking therapy or vBLocA (R) 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-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor beta 1 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.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Body weight

Food intake

Gut-brain axis

Rats

Vagus nerve

vagus nerve-stimulation

food-intake

body-weight

feeding-behavior

rats

hippocampus

surgery

mice

receptor

acid

Surgery

rloni g

1986

physiology & behavior

v38

p321

BAS HT

1994

YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINELester Dragstedt Centenary Symposium

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)