Ingestible Capsule that Vibrates in Stomach may Help Control Weight
MIT engineers have developed an ingestible capsule that vibrates in the stomach, simulating fullness by activating stretch receptors, which in animal studies reduced food intake by about 40%. This non-invasive approach, potentially useful for weight control, is seen as a cost-effective alternative to current obesity treatments.
Ingesting the Device may Induce a Sense of Fullness Before Eating
MIT engineers have introduced a novel way to influence body weight by utilizing a vibrating ingestible capsule. The capsule’s vibrations activate stretch receptors in the stomach, creating a sensation of fullness. When consuming food, the stomach signals the brain, creating feelings of satiety. By replicating this sensation, the vibrating capsule deceives the brain into believing it’s time to stop eating. This non-invasive approach could present a cost-effective alternative to current treatments for obesity.
Mimicking the body’s natural response, this method produces stretch receptor activation, leading to the release of satiety hormones in animal tests. The study, appearing in the journal Science Advances, discovered that ingestion of the capsule before meals resulted in a 40% decrease in food intake. Researchers believe this technology, if proven safe in humans, may offer a minimally invasive solution for obesity and appetite control, mitigating the side effects often associated with other treatments.
Satiety and the Stomach’s Role
The stretching of the stomach alerts specialized cells, mechanoreceptors, to send signals to the brain, indicating fullness. Subsequently, the brain releases hormones like insulin, Pyy, C-peptide, and GLP-1, reducing the secretion of ghrelin, a hunger-promoting hormone. Expanding on this natural response, vibration-induced stretch receptors in the stomach can simulate a full feeling, ultimately reducing appetite.
The Research
The capsule, about the size of a multivitamin, has a built-in vibrating element. When the capsule reaches the stomach, gastric fluids dissolve a protective gelatinous membrane, activating the vibration motor. By evoking a response from mechanoreceptors, the capsule sends signals to the brain through the vagus nerve, effectively replicating the sensations experienced when the stomach is genuinely distended.
MIT engineers designed an ingestible capsule that vibrates within the stomach. These vibrations activate the same stretch receptors that sense when the stomach is distended, creating an illusory sense of fullness and reducing appetite. Such a pill could offer a minimally invasive, cost-effective way to treat obesity. Credit: Courtesy of Shriya Srinivasan, Giovanni Traverso, MIT News
The researchers conducted animal tests to assess the effects of the vibrating capsule. When the capsule vibrated for approximately 20 minutes prior to mealtime, the animals demonstrated a 40% reduction in food consumption compared to non-vibrating conditions. Additionally, the animals exhibited slower weight gain, emphasizing the effectiveness of this intervention and its potential to help manage obesity.
Future Outlook and Cost-Effectiveness
This technological advancement may serve as a less invasive alternative compared to current obesity treatments. Conventional approaches, like gastric bypass surgery and gastric balloons, can be risk-prone and costly. Moreover, drugs that aid weight loss often require injections, presenting financial barriers. The vibrating capsule, designed to be cost-effective, presents a viable solution that could be manufactured and offered at a reasonable price. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize obesity treatment globally, particularly in less accessible healthcare settings.
The researchers plan to upscale the manufacturing process for the capsule and explore the possibility of lengthening the pill’s stay in the stomach. Remote, wireless activation and deactivation may be introduced in the future, providing greater control and flexibility. Clinical trials in humans, encompassing safety assessments and dosage optimizations, are essential steps towards realizing the capsule’s full potential.
References:
“A vibrating ingestible bioelectronic stimulator modulates gastric stretch receptors for illusory satiety” by Shriya S. Srinivasan, Amro Alshareef, Alexandria Hwang, Ceara Byrne, Johannes Kuosmanen, Keiko Ishida, Joshua Jenkins, Sabrina Liu, Wiam Abdalla Mohammed Madani, Alison M. Hayward, Niora Fabian and Giovanni Traverso, 22 December 2023, Science Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3003
Disclaimer: This article is a summary of a scientific study and is not intended as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before considering any weight-loss interventions.
