In a significant development, scientists have discovered a potential solution for dieters in the form of a groundbreaking pill that effectively suppresses hunger. The innovative FLASH system, drawing inspiration from the unique properties of lizard skin, employs non-invasive electronic stimulation to target and regulate the essential hunger hormone.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and New York University have made a fascinating discovery, inspired by nature, that could pave the way for innovative treatments.
By studying a peculiar lizard species with formidable spikes covering its body, the team developed an ingestible capsule capable of modifying the hormone ghrelin, which regulates hunger, in pigs.
The results of their study, published in Science Robotics, demonstrated the effectiveness of the ingestible electronic fluid-wicking capsule for active stimulation and hormone modulation (FLASH) in safely modulating gastrointestinal hormones through electrical stimulation of the stomach, without causing any adverse effects. This breakthrough system holds significant potential for treating various gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders.
Corresponding author Giovanni Traverso, MB, BChir, PhD, a gastroenterologist in Brigham’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy, emphasized the team’s goal of developing systems that facilitate easier and more accessible therapies for patients. He described the study as “an exciting proof-of-concept” that combined fundamental research and engineering expertise to showcase “the potential of ingestible electroceuticals.”
Co-first author Khalil Ramadi, PhD, an assistant professor at New York University and research affiliate at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlighted the promising aspect of an ingestible pill that utilizes electronics instead of traditional drugs or chemicals. This unique approach enables targeted delivery of electrical pulses to specific gut cells, effectively regulating neural hormone levels in the body.
The team’s exploration of this field stemmed from their previous observation that patients with gastroparesis, a condition characterized by slowed or halted movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, experienced significant improvement beyond mere motility enhancements when they received gastric pacemakers utilizing electrical stimulation.
This led the researchers to investigate whether the electrical stimulation induced a neurohormonal effect. They discovered that the stimulation triggered the production of ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger regulation. Further investigation revealed that the vagus nerve, the body’s longest autonomic nervous system nerve connecting the brain and gut, mediated this response.
To stimulate the release of ghrelin, the team embarked on creating an ingestible capsule, known as an electroceutical, capable of emitting electronic signals and traversing the body before being excreted. Since fluid in the stomach can interfere with an electroceutical system, the researchers turned to nature for inspiration on managing fluid and maintaining effective contact with stomach tissue.
Enter the Australian lizard Moloch horridus, also known as the “thorny devil.” This fascinating creature possesses fluid-wicking skin, allowing it to efficiently absorb water in its arid habitat. Drawing from this lizard’s unique adaptation, the team developed a hydrophilic capsule design treated with a surface similar to the lizard’s skin. The design included grooves that facilitated fluid wicking while retaining the capacity to hold an electrode for stimulation support.
During the study, the team performed endoscopic stimulation on the inner surface of pig stomachs for twenty minutes and observed an increase in ghrelin levels in those with intact vagus nerves. CT scans were used to analyze the point of contact between the capsule and stomach tissue. The FLASH system, comprising folded electronics and a battery source within the capsule, consistently raised ghrelin levels in pigs.
The researchers intend to further their investigations for translational human application and explore the potential of the FLASH system in other areas of the body. Their future plans include studying how FLASH and similar ingestible electroceuticals could be employed in the treatment of eating disorders and metabolic diseases.
“The potential to modulate hormones using ingestible electroceuticals is potentially transformative because it does not require new drugs,” commented Traverso. “Instead, it works alongside our physiological systems for the benefit of the person.”
Image Credit: Getty