Endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of obesity: a pilot study in China.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A injected into the gastric wall for the treatment of obesity.Methods 10 patients with simple obesity(BMI 28.6~46.41 kg/m2)were randomized into 2 groups.In 200 U group,200 U BTX-A were injected endoscopically into the antrum,fundus and ganstric body.In 300 U group,300 U BTX-A were injected were injected into the same sites.Food intake,body weight,BMI and semi-gastric emptying time were recorded before injection and 1 week,4 weeks and 12 weeks after the treatment.Results All patients reported reduced food intake 12 weeks after the injection(P0.05).The semi-gastric solid emptying time were significant longer than before the treatment(P0.05).Body weight and BMI decreased after the treatment.The average body weight reduced from(96.85±26.7)kg to(91.1±26.15)kg at 12 weeks(with the weight loss of 3~10 kg)(P0.05)and BMI reduced from 35.42±6.9 to 33.31±6.92(P0.05)There were no differences between the two groups except BMI.No clinically significant side effects were observed.Conclusion Endoscopic injection of BTX-A can reduce food intake and delay gastric emptying.It appears to be a new safe choice for weight loss of obese patients.