title: Topical fat reduction.
abstract: The fat on women's thighs is more difficult to mobilize due to increased alpha-2 adrenergic receptor activity induced by estrogen. Lipolysis can be initiated through adipocyte receptor stimulation (beta adrenergic) or inhibition (adenosine or alpha-2 adrenergic) or by inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Since many women desire regional thigh fat loss, a series of clinical trials were initiated using one thigh as a double-blinded control. Trial #1: Five overweight women had injections of isoproterenol at intervals around the thigh three times a week for 4 weeks with diet and walking. Trial #2: Five overweight woman had ointment containing forskolin, yohimbine and aminophylline applied to the thigh five times a week for 4 weeks after hypertonic warm soaks with a diet and walking. Trial #3: Eighteen overweight women were divided into three groups of six and trial #2 was repeated with each agent alone vs. placebo using forskolin, yohimbine or aminophylline in separate ointments. Trial #4: Thirty overweight women had 10% aminophylline ointment applied to the thigh five times a week for 6 weeks with diet and walking. Chemistry panel, theophylline level and patch testing were performed. Trial #5: Twelve women had trial #4 repeated with 2% aminophylline cream without a diet or walking. Trial #6: Trial #5 was repeated with 0.5% aminophylline cream. All trials except yohimbine ointment gave significantly more girth loss from the treated thigh (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Chemistry panel showed no toxicity. Theophylline was undetectable and patch testing was negative. We conclude that topical fat reduction for women's thighs can be achieved without diet or exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance, CA, USA.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Greenway
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heber
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005576:Colforsin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D009824:Ointments; D013848:Thigh; D015431:Weight Loss; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D005576:Colforsin; D000628:Aminophylline; D015016:Yohimbine; D007545:Isoproterenol