Diabetes op may also help infertile women have baby

A SIMPLE new procedure could help infertile women to become pregnant, scientists believe.

The Revita technique – pioneered at King’s College Hospital, London – has already shown promising results in treating people with Type 2 diabetes.

The technique sees part of the gut burned away using a heated balloon.

Once “reset”, it improves blood sugar levels by restoring the tissue’s sensitivity to insulin.

Now experts hope the procedure can also be used to boost the fertility of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Signals

Linked to irregular periods, excessive hair growth and obesity, the incurable condition affects up to one in five women of child-bearing age.

The 70-minute procedure known as duodenal mucosal resurfacing is carried out under anaesthetic.

A tiny balloon is put down the throat, through the stomach and into the upper part of the small intestine.

The balloon is then filled with hot water, which burns away the first four inches of gut lining, followed by cold water.

Experts think the process corrects faulty signals in the gut and results in the growth of new healthy cells. Researchers at Imperial College London are now recruiting 30 women with PCOS to take part in a trial of the method.

Dr Alex Miras, senior clinical lecturer at Imperial, said: “By altering the cells on the inner lining of the small intestine we can improve the way the body processes dietary sugar and, in turn, sensitivity to insulin can be restored.

“We expect that this ground-breaking procedure will also work to help women to have regular periods and possibly increase their ability to have children.”

Consultant gastroenterologist Dr Devinder Bansi of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: “With insulin resistance affecting over half of women with PCOS, improving insulin sensitivity using the 70-minute method could improve the lives of patients dramatically.”

Rachel Morman, of support group Verity, said: “Infertility is heartbreaking. Should the results be positive, it offers hope and help to women who have had very little of either.”

The trial of Revita on 50 Type 2 diabetics, published in the journal Diabetes Care, found patients experienced a dramatic drop in blood sugar levels.