Intragastric balloon induced reduction of test meal intake

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of gastric distension by balloon on spontaneous food intake. Four lean and four obese subjects ate at a standard breakfast and returned 3 hours later to ingest ad libitum a liquid lunch from a concealed reservoir. Prior to lunch, a latex balloon was passed orally into the stomach. On different days the balloon was inflated through the attached tube with 0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 ml of water in a random sequence. Gastric emptying rate was measured in several subjects at 0 and 800 ml balloon inflation. For different balloon volumes, mean food intakes were as follows: 0 ml = 851 ml; 200 ml = 764 ml; 400 ml = 607 ml; 600 ml = 580 ml; 800 ml = 571 ml. Intakes after 0 and 200 ml were greater than intakes after 400, 600, and 800 ml (F = 4.5, p < .05) for both lean and obese subjects. For each ml of balloon distension, 0.4 ml of food intake was reduced, using regression analysis. Emptying rate was similar when the balloon was filled with either 0 or 800 ml (t = 0.6, n.s.). Gastric emptying rate did not appear to be a factor in reduction of food intake when the balloon was inflated. The relevant mechanism may involve excitation of gastric stretch receptors which transmit neural signals via the vagus to the hypothalamus. A chronic intragastric balloon may have potential for reducing food intake in obese patients.