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The Role of Endoscopic Intra-Gastric Botulinum Toxin-A for Obesity Treatment

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Abstract

Obesity prevalence has been increasing with devastating health and economic consequences. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), a neurotoxin, is used clinically for conditions characterized by prolonged muscular contraction. Its inhibitory effects on gastric smooth muscles, in theory, make it a potential agent for obesity treatment through delayed gastric emptying and increased satiety. This review aims to examine the evidence for the use of endoscopic BTX-A injection for treating obesity. The literature search identified 60 articles with 11 primary studies as relevant for the scope of the review. Several studies have been conducted to examine the effect of BTX-A injections on obesity, including both animal and human studies. Current evidence from identified studies does not demonstrate sustained weight loss through the use of endoscopic BTX-A injection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation—Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar

    Hadya Elshakh & Shahrad Taheri

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

    Khalid El-Ejji

  3. National Obesity Centre, Qatar Metabolic Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

    Khalid El-Ejji & Shahrad Taheri

  4. Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Shahrad Taheri

  5. Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar

    Shahrad Taheri

Authors
  1. Hadya Elshakh
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  2. Khalid El-Ejji
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  3. Shahrad Taheri
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Correspondence to Shahrad Taheri.

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Elshakh, H., El-Ejji, K. & Taheri, S. The Role of Endoscopic Intra-Gastric Botulinum Toxin-A for Obesity Treatment. OBES SURG 27, 2471–2478 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2806-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2806-3

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