A temporary ‘gut lining’ that makes you feel full more quickly may help maintain weight loss two years after it is removed, a study has found.
The device, which unlike gastric bands does not require surgery, covers part of the small intestine, preventing the absorption of food.
Early trials found that it helped people with type 2 diabetes maintain lower blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of serious complications.
Known as the EndoBarrier, the 60cm sheath is inserted through the mouth via an endoscope while the patient is under general anesthesia or sedation.
It is anchored in place, just beyond the stomach, by a very fine wire basket made of Nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium.
Known as the EndoBarrier, the 60cm sheath is inserted through the mouth via an endoscope while the patient is under general anesthesia or sedation. It is anchored in place, just beyond the stomach, by a very fine wire basket made of Nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium.
The EndoBarrier is a thin waterproof cover that is inserted through the mouth and covers the first 60 cm of the small intestine, preventing the absorption of food in that area.
Food passing through the intestine and leaving the body through feces is prevented from coming into contact with the first two feet of the small intestine.
This is thought to change the way the body metabolizes nutrients and releases gut hormones, resulting in more efficient processing of glucose and patients feeling fuller more quickly.
It is then eliminated orally after 12 months.
Research presented at the Diabetes UK conference in London involved 90 patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity who had received the treatment, with 60 reporting results after two years.
One year after implantation, patients lost an average of 16.7kg (2 stone) and reported significantly lower blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It found that more than half (53 per cent) maintained improvements in body weight and blood sugar, more than a quarter retained some improvements and two in ten returned to previous levels.
Of those who used insulin before treatment, 28 percent no longer needed it two years after elimination.
There were side effects, and 13 patients required early removal, including five for gastrointestinal bleeding, two liver abscesses, another abscess, and five gastrointestinal symptoms.
All made a full recovery and most experienced benefits despite complications, the researchers said.
Dr Bob Ryder, consultant diabetologist at Birmingham City Hospital and lead researcher, described “a global pandemic of type 2 diabetes and obesity”.
He said many people cannot maintain weight and have blood sugar levels that are too high despite their best efforts and all available medications.
“The importance of our findings for people living with type 2 diabetes is that we have shown that in our service 80 per cent were able to maintain significant improvement 2 years after removing EndoBarrier,” he said.
Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: “Despite notable advances in treatment options for type 2 diabetes over the last decade, getting blood sugar levels into the target range and keeping them there can still be a real challenge.” Health care professionals should work with people with type 2 diabetes to find the right approach for them, whether it’s medications, diet and exercise, or weight-loss surgery.
“More treatments for type 2 will mean that people with this condition will have more opportunities to find a treatment that suits their needs, so they have a better chance of a long, healthy future.”