Sibutramine therapy in obese women--effects on plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, leptin and beta-endorphin concentrations.
OBJECTIVE
Some neuropeptides and monoaminergic neurotransmitters may affect hypothalamic feeding centres, sympathetic activity and thermogenesis. Sibutramine (BTS54524; N-[1-[1(4-chloro phenyl) cyclobutyl]-3methyl N,N-dimethylamine hydrochloride monohydrate) is a new 5-HT serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), antiobesity drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the sibutramine therapy on plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, leptin and beta-endorphin concentrations in obese patients.


METHODS
Sibutramine, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake antiobesity drug was administered for 6 months in a dose of 10 mg daily in 60 obese women (BMI 30-40 kg/m2) (mean 34 kg/m2). Plasma NPY, leptin, beta-endorphin and insulin concentrations were measured with RIA methods using commercial kits (Peninsula Lab, Linco, Peninsula Lab, Swierk respectively). The above neuropeptides levels were evaluated before and after the 6 month sibutramine therapy in 60 obese women as well as in 30 obese women on low caloric diet and in 30 of the control group.


RESULTS
In 85% obese patients a decrease of body weight was found after 6 month therapy with sibutramine. A decrease in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and an increase in HDL were observed after the sibutramine treatment. We have demonstrated that the sibutramine therapy leads to the decrease of plasma NPY, beta-endorphin, insulin and leptin concentrations in obese patients. After low diet therapy we have observed a decrease in plasma leptin levels, however we did not find significant changes in plasma leptin, NPY, beta-endorphin and insulin concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the effects on the disturbed activity of NPY, beta-endorphin, insulin and leptin may be involved in the mechanism of sibutramine action.
Baranowska
Bogusława
B
Department of Neuroendocrinology, Marymoncka 99, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland. zncmkp@op.pl
Wolińska-Witort
Ewa
E
Martyńska
Lidia
L
Chmielowska
Magdalena
M
Mazurczak-Pluta
Teresa
T
Boguradzka
Anna
A
Baranowska-Bik
Agnieszka
A
D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012016:Reference Values; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D001615:beta-Endorphin; C058254:sibutramine