A new device called ForePass might change how doctors treat serious obesity and diabetes.
What makes it special is that it works like weight-loss surgery but doesn’t require any cuts or stitches. This could be great news for people who want to avoid surgery or can’t take certain medicines.
Researchers from King’s College and other institutions tested ForePass on pigs. Their findings were published in the medical journal Gut.
The goal of the study was to see how ForePass affects weight gain, insulin use, and gut bacteria. They compared pigs that got the device with others that did not.
The results were impressive. Pigs that had the ForePass device gained 79% less weight than those without it. This suggests that ForePass might even work better than surgeries like gastric bypass. It also helped the pigs use insulin more effectively and kept their blood sugar levels under control.
Another benefit was seen in the pigs’ gut bacteria. The ForePass device improved the types of bacteria in the gut that are linked to better health.
These changes may help reverse conditions like severe obesity, type 2 diabetes, and liver problems such as MASH, which stands for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
Dr. Manoel Galvao Neto, a lead researcher in the study, says ForePass could be a game-changer. He explained that only a small number of patients currently choose weight-loss surgery because it is invasive and costly. That’s why many people in the medical field are excited about ForePass and its upcoming human trials.
ForePass is made by a company called Keyron. The device combines a gastric balloon with a soft sleeve that fits inside the stomach and small intestine. It’s placed in the body using an endoscope, which is much simpler and less expensive than surgery. And unlike surgery, it can be removed.
In the study, the pigs used ForePass for one month. During that time, they gained much less weight and had better blood sugar control. Their gut bacteria also changed in a way that’s believed to support good health.
Professor Geltrude Mingrone, another researcher in the study, said ForePass might be more effective than traditional weight-loss surgery, especially for people with very high BMIs. She believes this device offers the benefits of surgery without the need for actual surgery.
The device works by limiting how much food the person eats and improving how their body responds to insulin. This could help treat or even reverse diabetes and serious liver problems.
Professor Stefan R Bornstein, who also worked on the study, said ForePass could make a big difference for people who haven’t had success with medications. He believes it could help millions of people in the U.S. and Europe.
The company plans to begin clinical trials in humans in early 2025. If the results are as good as the animal trials, ForePass could change how we treat serious obesity in the near future.
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