Human Faeces Transplanted to Treat Obesity

Poop pills. Credit: Hohmann Lab, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital will conduct a clinical trial for weight loss based on human faeces. Pills filled with excrements from healthy people will be freeze-dried and introduced in 21 obese patients during the trial. The scientists expect fecal bacteria from the lean people to colonize the patient’s intestines and help them overcome obesity.

Several studies have confirmed that gut microbiota has an influence on people’s metabolism. In the past, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used to treat life-threatening infections of the digestive system, with better results than antibiotic treatments. Animal studies confirmed that fecal microbes could be used to treat metabolic disorders. Now, the researchers want to conduct a new study on humans to see how stool transplants affect body weight and glycemia. Selected patients should have a body mass index equal or higher than 30 kg/m2. The study will last 12 weeks, and the end of which researchers will measure their change in body weight, insulin sensitivity and body composition. The patient’s gut microbiome will also be analyzed from fecal samples.

Source: clinicaltrials.gov