Effects of fenfluramine in hypertriglyceridemic obese subjects.
Forty-four hyperlipidemic obese subjects, selected because of their refractoriness towards diet-therapy, participated voluntarily in a 12-week double-blind study comparing the effects of a long-acting fenfluramine (Ponderal Pacaps) to those of a placebo. In spite of no dietetic intervention, a significant 3-kg weight loss (P less than 0.001) was observed in the fenfluramine-treated group, accompanied by a significant improvement of most atherogenic parameters of plasma lipoproteins. Fenfluramine-induced weight loss produced decrease in total cholesterol (P less than 0.05), total triglycerides (P less than 0.05), LDL cholesterol (P less than 0.05), total apoprotein B (P less than 0.005) and LDL apoprotein B (P less than 0.001). An apoprotein B LDL depletion seemed to occur, as suggested by the reduction of LDL cholesterol/apoprotein B ratio (P less than 0.001). Total plasma apoprotein A did not change but the total apoprotein B/total apoprotein A ratio decreased significantly (P less than 0.005). Moreover, fenfluramine increased both HDL phospholipid (P less than 0.005) and HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.05) resulting in a fall of the atherogenic LDL-cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.001) as well as an elevation of the anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol/LDL + VLDL cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.001). The placebo group demonstrated some improvement in lipid blood parameters without weight loss, indicating a possible qualitative amelioration of nutritional habits. Thus, fenfluramine reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease in hyperlipidemic obese individuals not responding to behavioral intervention.
Brun
L D
LD
Lipid Research Center, Laval University Hospital Center, Québec, Canada.
Bielmann
P
P
Gagne
C
C
Moorjani
S
S
Nadeau
A
A
Lupien
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001059:Apoproteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D005277:Fenfluramine