How Gas-Filled Intragastric Balloons or Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Affect Hunger, Hunger Hormones, and Gastric Emptying Compared to Meal Replacements

Summary

The disease obesity continues to be a major health issue in the US with over one third of the population having a mass index \>30 kg/m2. Obesity is associated with serious cardiometabolic complications including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and myocardial infarction. Rates of successful obesity treatment with weight loss and weight maintenance remain low. Several endoscopic bariatric therapies and procedures have been approved for use in the United States, including three intragastric balloon systems (2 fluid-filled and one gas-filled) and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), both of which have lower risks than bariatric surgery and do not alter gastrointestinal anatomy. Weight loss with all intragastric balloons and ESG is higher than lifestyle therapy or weight loss medications, but less than bariatric surgery. Unlike weight loss medications where weight loss from the medication is regained within 6-8 months after therapy ends, weight loss maintenance with intragastric balloons remains high with 66-88.5% of the weight loss maintained 6 months after device removal. Data suggests that space occupying devices with a volume of 400 ml or more in the stomach increase feelings of fullness and result in weight loss, but this does not explain the prolonged effect of weight loss maintenance after balloon removal. Although few studies have investigated the mechanism of action of fluid-filled balloons and one study with 4 patients undergoing ESG on weight loss, these data suggest that gastric emptying as well as space occupation contribute to weight loss. However, no studies have investigated the mechanisms of action of gas filled intragastric balloons on weight loss.

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for weight loss with the gas filled intragastric balloon system and ESG as well as any weight loss independent effects on blood glucose control would lay the groundwork for studies evaluating predictors of response to improve patient selection as well as studies understanding the mechanisms behind weight loss maintenance and developing strategies to prolong weight loss maintenance.

Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study is to determine the effects 10% total body weight loss (%TBWL) in patients with obesity treated with the intragastric balloon (GF- IGB) system or ESG compared to patients with obesity treated with a meal replacement program (MRP) on 1) gastric emptying, 2) hormonal adaptation to weight loss and 3) hunger.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

DEVICE

GF-IGB: Obalon Balloon

The balloon, which is attached to a thin catheter, is swallowed by the patient in a standing position. Once the two-step verification of balloon passage into the stomach by both fluoroscopy and pressure reading, the balloon is inflated to a volume of 250 ml with a nitrogen-mix gas, additional imaging of the inflated balloon is obtained, the catheter is ejected from the balloon, and the catheter is pulled out through the patient's mouth. The process is repeated at week 2 for the second balloon and between weeks 4-8 for the third balloon. All patients are given an individualized calorie prescription by a registered dietitian for a goal of up to 2 pounds of weight loss per week. The balloons are removed endoscopically 6 months after placement of the first balloon. Patients also attend monthly virtual individual diet coaching and monthly virtual group behavior coaching sessions both delivered by a registered dietitian for twelve months focused on long-term behavior change.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Medically Supervised Meal Replacement Program: My New Weigh

Patients are given an individualized calorie prescription by a registered dietitian for a goal of 2 pounds weight loss per week. Patients are seen in a group-based program once a week focused on long-term behavior change and use meal replacements for a nutritionally balanced very low-calorie diet for 20 weeks. 4-5 meal replacements are consumed per day. If only 4 meal replacements are consumed, individuals eat 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit per day as well.

PROCEDURE

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: (ESG)

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a weight loss procedure that uses an FDA 510K cleared endoscopic suturing device known as Overstitch to reduce the size of the gastric body. The procedure is completed with an endoscope. It is inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Sutures with 8-10 bites 1.5-2 cm apart in a U-shape pattern are placed starting distally 6 cm proximal to the pylorus. Additional sutures are placed moving proximally up to 2 cm distal to the gastroesophageal junction. An additional row of sutures is then placed again in the distal to proximal stomach to complete the gastroplasty. All patients are given an individualized calorie prescription by a registered dietitian for a goal of up to 2 pounds of weight loss per week. Patients also attend monthly virtual individual diet coaching and monthly virtual group behavior coaching sessions both delivered by a registered dietitian for twelve months focused on long-term behavior change.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Colorado, Denver

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Shelby Sullivan, MD · University of Colorado, Denver

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

22 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-03-02

Primary Completion

2024-03-02

Completion

2024-03-02

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations