Abstract: Methods of treatment in subjects suffering from diabetes mellitus or obesity are provided. The methods comprise ablation of a region of the small intestine in the subject, in particular ablation of a region of the duodenum. The ablation may be a mechanical, electrical, thermal, radiative, or chemical ablation and may in some cases target a sensory nerve. The methods may, in some cases, comprise the step of administering an active agent directly to the small intestine in the subject, in particular administering the active agent directly to the duodenum. The active agents useful in the treatments described herein include analgesic agents and, in particular, antinociceptive agents such as capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, and their analogues.

Abstract: Devices for and methods of treatment of metabolic syndromes are disclosed. Namely, the presently disclosed devices and methods are provided for affecting the function of the gastrointestinal endocrine system in key regions of the gut, thereby, producing therapeutic effects on obesity, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. In some embodiments, the devices include multilayered bioadhesive patches delivered orally by dissolvable ingestible capsule, wherein various mechanisms are provided for anchoring the bioadhesive patches to the duodenal mucosa.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating gastrointestinal disorders using beta blockers. Compositions comprising Beta blockers such as Timolol and Nadolol are used to treat diseases including ulcerative colitis, IBD and Crohn's disease. The Compositions are administered orally or rectally, at doses that provide a peak plasma concentration of less than 10 ng/ml.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of an enteric nervous system disorder. Such methods may comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a phenothiazine compound, a peripherally restricted dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor, and/or a peripherally restricted dopamine D2 receptor antagonist that does not substantially inhibit hERG channels.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of an enteric nervous system disorder. Such methods may comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a phenothiazine compound, a peripherally restricted dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor, and/or a peripherally restricted dopamine D2 receptor antagonist that does not substantially inhibit hERG channels.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of an enteric nervous system disorder. Such methods may comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a phenothiazine compound, a peripherally restricted dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor, and/or a peripherally restricted dopamine D2 receptor antagonist that does not substantially inhibit hERG channels.

Abstract: A method of preventing acute pancreatitis comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the stomach of an individual in need thereof; and administering repetitive trains of short pulse gastrointestinal electrical stimulation effective for suppressing the inflammatory response in the pancreas is provided herein. The electrodes are placed by laproscopic, endoscopic or surgical means. The gastrointestinal stimulation activates vagal reflexes. The activation of the vagal reflexes is via the gastric and pancreatic afferents. The gastrointestinal stimulation also activates the axonal reflexes. The activation of the axonal reflexes is via the dichotomous branches of the spinal nerves. The electrical stimulation is administered concurrently with an endoscopic procedure or immediately following an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating CVH and CVH-associated disorders are disclosed. Genes differentially expressed in CVH tissues relative to normal tissues are identified. The genes and the gene products (i.e., the polynucleotides transcribed from and polypeptides encoded by the genes) can be used as markers of CVH. The genes and the gene products can also be used to screen agents that modulate the gene expression or the activities of the gene products.

Abstract: A treatment to differentially regulate the expression of genes related to irritable bowel syndrome is provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is a method of treatment for obesity, in an individual in need thereof comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the distal small intestines or ileum, and administering electrical stimulation in trains of pulses or repetitive pulses, where the electrical stimulation is effective, at least in part in, stimulating the vagal afferent and efferent activity, of the distal small intestines or ileum, in the individual. The stimulation of the vagal afferent and efferent activity leads to the regulation of the ileal brake. Specifically, the electrical stimulation is provided in trains of pulses. Also, described is a method of treatment for functional gastrointestinal disease by ileal electrical stimulation. Further this invention provides a method of treatment for an eating disorder comprising administering ileal electrical stimulation effective, at least in part, in stimulating the vagal and sympathetic pathways.

Abstract: A method of preventing acute pancreatitis comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the stomach of an individual in need thereof; and administering repetitive trains of short pulse gastrointestinal electrical stimulation effective for suppressing the inflammatory response in the pancreas is provided herein. The electrodes are placed by laproscopic, endoscopic or surgical means. The gastrointestinal stimulation activates vagal reflexes. The activation of the vagal reflexes is via the gastric and pancreatic afferents. The gastrointestinal stimulation also activates the axonal reflexes. The activation of the axonal reflexes is via the dichotomous branches of the spinal nerves. The electrical stimulation is administered concurrently with an endoscopic procedure or immediately following an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of the holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of regulating gastrointestinal action in a subject using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the GI tract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of stimulating the vagus nerve of a subject.

Abstract: In the case where the living tissues in the patient's body is resected as well, it is possible to suture the resected portion immediately without replacement with another treatment device after resection. Thus, prevention of bleeding from the resected portion or earlier repair of an ulcer that occurs with the resected portion can be carried out for the patent lowly invasively and easily.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, kits, and methods to perform transgastric procedures to removing visceral fat in the peritoneal cavity are described. Am embodiment includes deliberately breaching a wall of a gastrointestinal tract to enter the peritoneal cavity to physically remove visceral fat adjacent or on outer surfaces of organs located within the peritoneal cavity. A user can identify regions of visceral fat desired to be removed. A user can insert an instrument through the mouth into the stomach of the patient. The user makes an incision in the wall of the organ adjacent the visceral fat to be removed. Using visual guidance for the instrument, the user passes a distal end of the instrument through an opening formed by the incision into the peritoneal cavity. A user utilizes removes the visceral fat from outer surfaces of the organ, the opening is closed, and the tool is removed from the patient.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument used to form an artificial valve for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: The invention discloses that systemic activation of dopamine 3 receptor (D3R) significantly delays gastric emptying in rat, suggesting that D3R plays an important role in the regulation of gastric motility. Specific D3R antagonist, nafadotride, was shown to partially reverse the effect of dopamine on gastric emptying. The invention also discloses that D3R agonists and antagonists can be used to treat gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Abstract: A treatment device for endoscopic therapy of the present invention includes a suturing-ligating member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, that carries out at least one of suturing and ligation of biological tissue, a stopper provided to be movable forward or backward on an proximal end side of the suturing or ligating member, and stoppable by friction on the suturing-ligating member to maintain the biological tissue in a sutured or ligated state by the suturing-ligating member, and a suturing-ligation releasing member provided movable with relative to the suturing-ligating member to release the suturing-ligation state maintained by firctional stopping between the suturing-ligating member and the stopper by moving the releasing member to the proximal end portion side of the suturing-ligating member.

Abstract: A ligature and suture device for medical application that ligatures or sutures biomedical tissue that has been suctioned by a suction device using a suturing member. The ligature and suture device includes an insertion portion having a lumen into which an endoscope can be inserted, and a distal end portion that is connected to the lumen and in which at least one side aperture is provided, at least one hollow needle that is able to support inside itself the suturing member, and that is placed inside the insertion portion such that a tip of the hollow needle is able to move between a first position, which is on a base end side of the side aperture, and a second position, which is on a distal end side of the side aperture, an operating section that performs an operation to move the needle, and at least one pledget that can be penetrated by the needle, and that is placed in a vicinity of the distal end of the side aperture so as to be freely removable from the distal end portion.