title: Effect of dexfenfluramine on body weight, blood pressure, insulin resistance and serum cholesterol in obese individuals.
abstract: The effect of the serotonergic agent dexfenfluramine on weight loss, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and serum lipid levels was determined in a 3-month randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled parallel design study in 50 obese subjects (body mass index 30-44 kg/m2). When compared with placebo treated patients, the dexfenfluramine group lost more weight (3.8 vs 1.1 kg, P < 0.01), had lower diastolic blood pressure (-5 vs -1.5 mmHg, P < 0.05), and lower cholesterol levels (-0.38 vs + 0.06mmol/l, P < 0.05), and showed improved insulin sensitivity (+ 11% vs + 4%, P < 0.03). Significant effects on blood pressure and insulin sensitivity were apparent after 1 week of treatment during which time weight did not change, suggesting a direct effect of the agent independent of weight loss. Dexfenfluramine thus improves a number of cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity, with benefits additional to those achieved by weight reduction alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Holdaway
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Westbrooke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gamble
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D005277:Fenfluramine; D002784:Cholesterol