Effects of Intragastric Balloon on Gastric Emptying and Plasma Ghrelin Levels in Non-morbid Obese Patients

Background: Intragastric balloons have been proposed to induce weight loss in obese subjects. The consequences of the balloon on gastric physiology remain poorly studied. We studied the influence of an intragastric balloon on gastric emptying and ghrelin secretion in non-morbid obese patients. Patients and Methods: 17 patients were included in the study, with mean BMI of 34.4 (range 30.1–40.0). The balloon was inserted under general anaesthesia and endoscopic control, inflated with 600 ml saline, and removed 6 months later. Body weight and gastric emptying (¹³ C-octanoic acid breath test) were monitored while the balloon was in place and 1 month after removal. Ghrelin levels were measured just before balloon insertion and removal. Results: Mean weight loss was 8.7 kg (range 0–21). Gastric emptying rates were significantly decreased with the balloon in place, and returned to pre-implantation values after balloon removal. Plasma ghrelin levels were significantly decreased (95% CI: −3.8 to −20.7 ng/ml), despite concomitant weight loss. Weight reduction was not correlated to the effect of the balloon on gastric emptying, but was significantly correlated to the ghrelin variations (r=0.668, 95% CI: 0.212–0.885). Conclusions: Gastric emptying rates and plasma ghrelin levels are decreased in the presence of intragastric balloon. Weight loss induced by the intragastric balloon is related to ghrelin variations, but not to gastric emptying. Ghrelin inhibition may explain part of the effect of the balloon on satiety.