It takes aim at the ‘hunger hormone.’
A novel endoscopic procedure, involving controlled burning of the stomach lining, shows promise in reducing the production of ghrelin, a hormone responsible for triggering hunger, potentially offering a new avenue for weight loss.
The procedure, described as innovative by researchers, entails ablating the stomach lining to diminish ghrelin production, thereby curbing appetite and leading to significant weight loss. While the study detailing this potential treatment has not yet undergone peer review, the results of its first-in-human trial will be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2024 later this month. The trial, lasting six months and involving 10 female subjects with obesity, yielded encouraging outcomes.
According to the researchers, participants experienced a more than 7% reduction in body weight and over a 40% decrease in fasting ghrelin levels. Additionally, validated questionnaires revealed a more than one-third decrease in reported hunger. The procedure also resulted in a 42% decrease in stomach capacity, as determined by a standard drink test.
Dr. Christopher McGowan, the lead author and a gastroenterologist and medical director of True You Weight Loss, emphasized the urgent need for diverse treatment options to combat obesity, a chronic condition expected to affect nearly half of the U.S. population by 2030. He noted that this outpatient, non-surgical procedure could offer a viable alternative for individuals who are unwilling or ineligible for conventional anti-obesity medications or bariatric surgery.
The endoscopic mucosal ablation targets ghrelin, the primary hunger hormone, by modifying the stomach lining, where the hormone is synthesized. The procedure involves inserting a protective fluid to shield underlying stomach tissues before using a small device to burn the mucosal lining of the upper stomach portion, known as the gastric fundus.
The gastric fundus plays a crucial role in hunger regulation, with its emptying triggering increased ghrelin production and subsequent hunger pangs. By reducing the number of ghrelin-producing cells through mucosal ablation, the procedure aims to alleviate hunger sensations and facilitate weight loss.
McGowan emphasized the multifaceted nature of obesity and weight regulation, highlighting the procedure’s impact on one of many hormone pathways implicated in weight management challenges. This innovative approach holds promise in addressing the complexities of obesity and offers hope for individuals striving to achieve and maintain weight loss goals.
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