Intragastric Balloon Device: Weight Loss and Satisfaction Degree

An intragastric balloon is a non-surgical device enhancing a sensation of early satiety and reducing food intake. The aim of this study is to analyze the results in terms of weight loss and patient satisfaction undergoing intragastric balloon implantation

Taste perception and expression in stomach of bitter taste receptor tas2r38 in obese and lean subjects

Differences in taste perception have been related to eating behavior, nutritional status, and diseases. Recently, taste receptors have been identified in several extra-oral tissues, such as the gastrointestinal tract, where they seem to influence processes like digestion, sense of satiety as well as energy balance and intraluminal changes occurring in obesity. Our study aims to analyze differences in taste perception among 42 obese patients (OB) and 41 normal-weight subjects (LEAN). Polymorphisms in the gene codifying for the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 and its expression on the surface of the gastric mucosa were tested and compared among OB and LEAN. Taste intensity of PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil), quinine, sucrose, citric acid and NaCl were measured on a labeled magnitude scale. DNA from peripheral whole blood was extracted and three polymorphisms in the TAS2R38 gene (rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939) analyzed. Gastric biopsies were collected during bariatric surgery in OB and during endoscopy in LEAN. RNA was extracted and TAS2R38 gene expression assessed by RTReal-Time qPCR. Anamnestic and anthropometric data were recorded in all participants during baseline visits. Logistic regression analysis showed that OB perceives sweet (sucrose) and bitter (PROP or 6-n-propylthiouracil) taste more intensely than LEAN (p-value = 0.02 and p-value = 0.005, respectively). While polymorphisms in TAS2R38 gene did not differ among OB and LEAN, we observed a significant increase of TAS2R38 mRNA levels in the stomach of OB compared to LEAN (p = 0.01). Our results provide new evidence of a link between obesity and altered taste perception as well as TAS2R38 expression in the stomach

Evaluation of Clensia®, a new low-volume PEG bowel preparation in colonoscopy: Multicentre randomized controlled trial versus 4L PEG

Abstract Background Success of colonoscopy is linked to the adequacy of bowel cleansing. Polyethylene glycol 4 L (PEG 4 L) solutions are widely used for colonic cleansing but with limitations concerning tolerability and acceptability. Aim To demonstrate the equivalence of a new low-volume PEG containing citrates and simeticone (Clensia) versus a standard PEG 4 L. Methods In this, multicentre, randomised, observer-blind trial, patients received either Clensia 2 L or PEG 4 L solution. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with colon cleansing evaluated as excellent or good. Results 422 patients received Clensia (n = 213) or PEG 4 L (n = 209). Rate of excellent/good bowel cleansing was 73.6% and 72.3% in Clensia and PEG 4 L group respectively. Clensia was demonstrated to be equivalent to PEG 4 L. No SAEs were observed. Clensia showed better gastrointestinal tolerability (37.0% vs 25.4%). The acceptability was significantly better with Clensia in terms of proportion of subjects who felt no distress (Clensia 72.8% vs PEG 4 L 63%, P = 0.0314) and willingness-to-repeat (93.9% vs 82.2%, P = 0.0002). The rate of optimal compliance was similar with both formulations (91.1% for Clensia vs 90.9% for PEG 4 L, P = 0.9388). Conclusions The low-volume Clensia is equally effective and safe in bowel cleansing compared to the standard PEG 4 L, with better gastrointestinal tolerability and acceptability