The effect of orlistat-induced weight loss, without concomitant hypocaloric diet, on cardiovascular risk factors and insulin sensitivity in young obese Chinese subjects with or without type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
We examined the weight-losing effect of orlistat treatment on insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in a group of severely obese young Chinese patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Obese patients with diabetes (n = 33) and obese nondiabetic patients (n = 27) were given orlistat, 120 mg 3 times daily, without a concomitant hypocaloric diet for 6 months (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meter; kg/m2] range, 27.8-47.4). The efficacy measures were (1) insulin sensitivity indices derived from the homeostasis model assessment and a composite measure of whole-body insulin sensitivity index; (2) glycemic control; (3) cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometry, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and albuminuria; and (4) body composition determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
At baseline, patients with diabetes had lower body mass index and percentage of body fat but higher waist-hip ratios and were more insulin resistant. Orlistat therapy reduced body weight, waist and hip circumferences, percentage of total body fat, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and lipid levels, albuminuria, and insulin sensitivity indices in both groups (all, P<.05). Despite less weight reduction, we found a greater percentage of reduction from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin level (-11.6% vs -3.6%; P<.001), fasting plasma glucose level (-18.2% vs -5.0%; P<.001), and systolic blood pressure (-7.1% vs -3.1%; P =.02) in patients with diabetes. Obese subjects without diabetes had greater improvements in triglyceride levels, albuminuria, and the homeostasis model assessment (all, P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term orlistat treatment without the use of a hypocaloric diet significantly improved insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk profiles in severely obese Chinese patients with or without type 2 diabetes.
Tong
Peter C Y
PC
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. ptong@cuhk.edu.hk
Lee
Zoe S K
ZS
Sea
Man-Mei
MM
Chow
Chun-Chung
CC
Ko
Gary T C
GT
Chan
Wing-Bun
WB
So
Wing-Yee
WY
Ma
Ronald C W
RC
Ozaki
Risa
R
Woo
Jean
J
Cockram
Clive S
CS
Chan
Juliana C N
JC
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077403:Orlistat; D010045:Outpatients; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007783:Lactones; D008055:Lipids; D000077403:Orlistat