Long-term Effects of Gastric Pacing to Reduce Feed Intake in Swine

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to show the effect of chronic antral gastric electrical stimulation on the feeding behavior 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 a 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 food 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 the 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 behavior 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).