Long-term effects of gastric pacing to reduce feed intake in swine

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to show the effect of chronic antral gastric electrical stimulation on the feeding behaviour of swine. Methods: Three groups of swine were investigated; first group control-group, second group - 8 months of electrical antral stimulation (10 Volts; 450 micros; Hertz 100; Mode: Cycling; on time 3.25 s; off time 5.15 s), the third group - 3 months of stimulation with modification of the following parameters - amplitude 8 Volts, hertz 5. All animals were nourished with commercial balanced dry feed ad libitum. Results: Group one demonstrated continued increased weight gain. After 90 days of stimulation, group two noted a net decrease of feed Intake from 12% to 16%, followed by a net cyclical weight loss 30 days later (2 weeks of weight gain followed by 1 week of weight loss). The percentage difference between group one and two in increasing weight was - 12 to 29% respectively. The feed output of the stimulated group (group two) was 12.8 less compared with control. The net weight loss was of 19 to 29.6 kg compared with control. Finally, group three was used to test a lower stimulation rate, resulting in a shorter rest during feeding and a 7% increase in consumption compared with control. Conclusions: Long-term antral gastric pacing influences the alimentary behaviour of swine. We attempt to extrapolate this influence in humans for possible attendant applications in patients with consumption dysfunction (e.g. bulimia and/or anorexia).