title: [Effect of chitosan in complex management of obesity].
abstract: The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of chitosan as a possible adjuvant in the complex management of obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty obese women (22-59 years, BMI > 30) participated in the study. A six months program consisted of 2-hour meetings with a physician, psychologist and dietitian, in a group of about 20 persons, every two weeks. Low calorie diet (1000 kcal/day), physical activity and behaviour modification were recommended. Supplementation with chitosan was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. In the chitosan group, participants received ChitininN (Primex Ingredients ASA, Avaldsnes, Norway) i.e. 750 mg pure chitosan per tablet, two tablets three times daily before each main meal. The placebo group received identical placebo tablets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly higher body weight loss was noted in the chitosan-supplemented group (15.9 kg) than in the placebo group (10.9 kg) Also a greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the chitosan group. There was no difference between the groups in the decrease of LDL and total cholesterol. No adverse effects were noted but the number of drop-outs was higher in the placebo group than in the chitosan group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chitosan can be used as a valuable and safe adjuvant in long-term dietary treatment of obesity. Chitosan seems to accentuate the reduction of blood pressure associated with weight reduction.
authors.affiliation: Katedra Patofizjologii Sl. AM w Katowicach. Barbara9354943@pharmanet.com.pl
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zahorska-Markiewicz
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krotkiewski
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olszanecka-Glinianowicz
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zurakowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002686:Chitin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048271:Chitosan; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan