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Intragastric Injection of Botulinum Toxin A for the Treatment of Obesity

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Background

Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) is a powerful and long-acting inhibitor of muscular contractions in both striated and smooth muscles. Hypothetically, BTX-A should inhibit the acetylcholine-mediated peristalsis, which is mainly responsible for gastric motility, and thereby induce slowed gastric emptying, earlier satiety and weight loss. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of endoscopic intragastric injections of BTX-A in obese patients.

Methods

After approval by the University Ethics Committee, 10 female patients with class I obesity (body mass index 30–35) were double-blind randomized into 2 groups (BTX-A and 0.9% Saline). In Group 1, 200 U BTX-A were injected endoscopically into the antrum and the distal gastric body. In Group 2, 0.9% saline was injected endoscopically into the antrum and the distal gastric body. Body weight and feeling of satiety were recorded monthly over a period of 6 months.

Results

Both groups (BTX-A and 0.9% Saline) showed no significant weight reduction (P > 0.05). One patient in Group 1 and two patients in Group 2 reported a feeling of early satiety. No adverse effects related to BTX-A or complications resulting from the endoscopic procedure were observed.

Conclusion

Intragastric injection of BTX-A for the treatment of obesity does not seem to reduce body weight.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Reinhard Mittermair

  2. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Christian Keller

  3. Department of Surgery and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA

    John Geibel

  4. Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, A – 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Reinhard Mittermair

Authors
  1. Reinhard Mittermair
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  2. Christian Keller
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  3. John Geibel
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Correspondence to Reinhard Mittermair.

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Mittermair, R., Keller, C. & Geibel, J. Intragastric Injection of Botulinum Toxin A for the Treatment of Obesity. OBES SURG 17, 732–736 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9135-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9135-x

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