Cutaneous gastric electrical stimulation alters gastric motility in dogs: New option for gastric electrical stimulation?

Background and Aim: We investigated the effects of cutaneous gastric electrical stimulation (CGES) on gastric myoelectrical activity, postprandial antral contractions and gastric tone in dogs. Methods: CGES was carried out via abdominal surface electrodes over the stomach. After an overnight fast, gastric slow waves were recorded from the serosal electrodes in six dogs at a frequency of 4.4 cycles/min (c.p.m.) or 10 c.p.m. Nine dogs were used for the measurement of postprandial antral contractions. Gastric tone at baseline and during CGES was measured in six of the dogs. Results: We found that: (i) CGES at 4.4 c.p.m. decreased slow wave frequency (5.1 vs 4.6 c.p.m., P < 0.05) and increased slow wave power (-6.2 vs 2.7 c.p.m., P < 0.05); CGES at 10 c.p.m. increased slow wave frequency (5.1 vs 9.2 dB, P < 0.05) and decreased normal slow waves (85.4% vs 60.0%, P < 0.05); (ii) CGES at 10 c.p.m. significantly suppressed postprandial antral contractions (P < 0.01); (iii) CGES had no effects on gastric tone. Conclusions: CGES is capable of altering gastric slow waves and inhibiting gastric motility. It may have therapeutic potential for treating eating disorders, such as obesity. However, clinical studies are needed to explore the potential of CGES.