Abstract
Abstract*Introduction:* Intestinal electric stimulation (IES) is proposed as a potential tool for the treatment of morbid obesity. Our previous study showed that IES with one pair of electrodes accelerated intestinal transit and decreased fat absorption in a segment of the jejunum in the anesthetized rats. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of IES on the whole gut transit and fat absorption in conscious rats, to examine the effects of multi-channel IES, and to explore the cholinergic mechanism behind the effects of IES. *Methods:* Thirty-eight male rats implanted with serosal electrodes were randomized into five groups: control without IES, 2/3 channel IES with short pulses, atropine and atropine plus IES. The whole gut transit and fat remained and emptied from the gut were analyzed after continuous 2-hour IES. *Results:* Two and three channel IES significantly accelerated phenol red (marker used for transit) excretion (ANOVA, P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between two and three channel IES. Two channel IES significantly increased the excretion of fat (P < 0.05). Atropine significantly blocked the accelerated transit induced by IES (ANOVA, P < 0.001). Correlation was found between the percentage of phenol red and fat retained in the whole gut (r = 0.497, P < 0.01). *Conclusions:* IES accelerates whole gut transit and promotes fat excrement in conscious rats, and these effects are mediated through the cholinergic nerves. These findings are in support of the concept that IES may be a promising treatment option for obesity.
Highlights
Intestinal electric stimulation (IES) is proposed as a potential tool for the treatment of morbid obesity
IES significantly decreased the percentage of phenal red (PR) retained in the whole gut (ANOVA, P < 0.001)
The present study showed for the first time that IES with short pulse trains significantly accelerated the whole gut transit and fat excrement in conscious rats, and there was no significant difference between 2-channel IES and 3-channel IES
Summary
Intestinal electric stimulation (IES) is proposed as a potential tool for the treatment of morbid obesity. Conclusions: IES accelerates whole gut transit and promotes fat excrement in conscious rats, and these effects are mediated through the cholinergic nerves. These findings are in support of the concept that IES may be a promising treatment option for obesity. Recent studies have shown that IES activates neuronal activity in the nuclear tractus solitarii (NTS) dependent of stimulation energy [5] and decreases the mean gastric fundus ghrelin level and increases the mean duodenal CCK-8 concentration [6] Reduction in both food intake and body weight with IES is reported in regular and obese rats [7]. It is of a great interest to investigate if IES exerts any effect on the intestinal absorption
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