Embolization of arteries against obesity
The results of an early phase clinical study conducted by Johns Hopkins University specialists indicate that minimally invasive therapy for weight loss, known as bariatric artery embolization, safely and effectively promotes weight loss in people with clinical obesity.
In total, 7 patients (6 women and 1 man) aged 31-59 years participated in the early phase of the study, in addition to the diagnosis of severe obesity, they were recognized as practically healthy. The participants' body mass index (BMI) ranged from 40 to 50, which significantly exceeds the threshold value for obesity of 30. One, three and six months after the procedure, all participants were examined for changes in body weight, ghrelin levels, feelings of hunger and satiety, as well as possible side effects.
Each of the participants was consulted about the need to make critical changes in lifestyle and diet before and after the procedure. After that, all participants underwent bariatric embolization of the arteries – a visually controlled procedure that involves the injection of microscopic beads through a thin catheter inserted into a small incision of the skin of the groin or wrist. The destination of these balls are the vessels of the bottom of the stomach – the region that produces the bulk of ghrelin, which is one of the main hormones regulating hunger. The balls obstruct blood flow in this area, limiting the secretion of ghrelin, which helps to suppress hunger and trigger the process of weight loss.
In all seven study participants, the procedure did not cause serious side effects. At the same time, they had a decrease in body weight and a radical suppression of hunger, as well as a decrease in the concentration of ghrelin in the blood.
On average, after 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure, the excess body weight of the participants, calculated as the number of kilograms by which the real weight exceeded the ideal body weight, decreased by 5.9%, 9.5% and 13.3%, respectively.
After 2 weeks, and also 1 and 3 months after the procedure, the participants noted a decrease in hunger/appetite by 81%, 59% and 26%, respectively. Questionnaires about appetite and satiety assessed the feeling of hunger felt by participants throughout the day. They were filled in for 6 consecutive days before the procedure and for 6 consecutive days before each control visit.
In addition, 3 months after the procedure, the level of ghrelin in the blood of participants decreased by an average of 17.5%.
The authors note that obesity is a very common problem in many countries of the world, detrimental to human health and costly for health systems. Currently available interventions aimed at combating obesity include lifestyle and diet adjustments, exercise, pharmacological drugs and invasive surgical interventions.
The researchers hope that bariatric embolization of the arteries will be able to supplement this list and provide patients with a safe and effective alternative to traditional approaches. However, they warn that, despite the promising results of the pilot study, larger and longer clinical trials are needed to finally confirm the safety and long-term effectiveness of the new approach.
Report by C. Weiss et al. Bariatric Embolization of Arteries for the Treatment of Obesity (BEAT Obesity): Three-Month Safety and Efficacy Data presented at the annual Scientific Congress of the Society of Invasive Radiology held April 2-7 in Vancouver (Canada).
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on Johns Hopkins University: Early Data from Clinical Trial Indicates Safety and Efficacy of New Weight Loss Procedure.
06.04.2016