The effect of orlistat on the fatty acid composition of serum lipid fractions in obese subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there are any changes in the fatty acid composition of serum triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids induced by administration of orlistat three times a day compared with placebo as combined with a low-fat hypocaloric diet.


METHODS
After 4 weeks of placebo administration, 75 obese subjects were randomized to receive either one capsule (120 mg) of orlistat or placebo three times a day with meals for 1 year in conjunction with a nutritionally balanced hypocaloric diet. Food records were kept to estimate the nutrient intake. The fatty acid composition of serum lipids were analyzed with gas chromatograph. The molar percentage proportions of fatty acids in serum lipid fractions were calculated.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of linoleic acid in triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids in the orlistat group, even after the effect of the decrease in the linoleic acid dietary intake (percent of energy), weight change, and gender were taken into account. However, the use of orlistat explained only 9% to 13% of the decrease in the proportion of linoleic acid in serum cholesterol esters, triglycerides, and phospholipids.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term treatment with orlistat may result in a small decline in the proportion of diet-derived fatty acids in serum lipid fractions when used in conjunction with low-fat diet.
Vidgren
H M
HM
Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Kuopio, Finland. helvi.vidgren@uku.fi
Agren
J J
JJ
Valve
R S
RS
Karhunen
L J
LJ
Rissanen
A M
AM
Uusitupa
M I
MI
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008049:Lipase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077403:Orlistat
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007783:Lactones; D008055:Lipids; D000077403:Orlistat; D008049:Lipase