Hemodynamic impact of an ephedra-free multicomponent weight-loss supplement.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of Metabolife Ephedra-Free on blood pressure (BP) and hemodynamics was studied.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to take a single dose of Metabolife Ephedra-Free or matching placebo and then crossed over to the opposite treatment after a seven-day washout period. BP was measured at baseline and one, three, and five hours after administration. Cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and total thoracic fluid content were determined in a subgroup of subjects.


RESULTS
Twenty patients (mean +/- S.D. age, 24.8 +/- 1.9 years) completed the study. No significant differences in systolic or diastolic BP were found between the Metabolife Ephedra-Free and placebo groups. In the subgroup (n = 8), SVRI was higher (but not significantly so) in the Metabolife Ephedra-Free group than in the placebo group at one hour (2162.5 +/- 421.1 versus 1934.6 +/- 344.2 dyn x sec x cm(-5) x m(2)); the difference was significant at five hours (1981.6 +/- 293.3 versus 1765.1 +/- 340.3 dyn x sec x cm(-5) x m(2)).


CONCLUSIONS
Single doses of Metabolife Ephedra-Free did not affect BP in healthy young volunteers. SVRI did not exceed the normal range but was elevated at five hours compared with SVRI in placebo recipients.
Min
Bokyung
B
School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut and Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06102, USA.
McBride
Brian F
BF
Kardas
Michael J
MJ
Ismali
Agron
A
Sinha
Vinnita
V
Kluger
Jeffrey
J
White
C Michael
CM
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D029789:Ephedra; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents