title: Proof-of-concept trial on the efficacy of sodium tungstate in human obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Considering the poor long-term success of current dietary and pharmacological interventions, we aimed to evaluate the potential effect of sodium tungstate in the treatment of grade I and II obesity (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00555074).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, proof-of-concept study was carried out. Following a 2-week lead-in period, 30 obese (body mass index, BMI 30.0-39.9 kg/m(2)), non-diabetic subjects were randomized to receive either sodium tungstate (100 mg bid) or placebo for 6 weeks. The primary study endpoint was the absolute change in body weight relative to the time of randomization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with sodium tungstate [-0.135 ± 0.268 kg (95% CI -0.686 to +0.416 kg)] was not associated with a significant weight loss compared to placebo [-0.063 ± 0.277 kg (95% CI -0.632 to +0.507 kg)] (p = 0.854). Likewise, treatment with sodium tungstate was not associated with significant changes in fat mass (DEXA), resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) or caloric consumption (3-day food records).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data do not support sodium tungstate as a pharmacological agent in the treatment of human obesity.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona University, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hanzu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gomis
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coves
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viaplana
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palomo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szpunar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vidal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D010919:Placebos; D017973:Tungsten Compounds; C025399:sodium tungstate(VI)