title: Randomized pilot study of cabergoline, a dopamine receptor agonist: effects on body weight and glucose tolerance in obese adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dopaminergic hypofunction and hyperprolactinaemia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and glucose intolerance. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the efficacy of cabergoline, a dopamine receptor agonist, on body weight and glucose tolerance in obese non-diabetic persons with normal plasma prolactin levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  This 16-week double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study randomized non-diabetic obese adults (body mass index 30-42 kg/m(2) ) to placebo or cabergoline (0.25 mg twice weekly for 4 weeks followed by 0.5 mg twice weekly for the next 12 weeks). Of 40 subjects enrolled, 29 completed 16 weeks: 16 randomized to placebo and 13 to cabergoline. All subjects were counselled on a 500 kcal/day calorie deficit diet. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed at baseline and at 16 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As expected, prolactin levels decreased after cabergoline (p < 0.001). Weight loss was similar after placebo compared with cabergoline treatment: 1.0 vs. 1.2% body weight, respectively. Fasting glucose levels did not differ between groups after treatment, however, 90-min postprandial glucose and insulin decreased in the cabergoline group only (p = 0.029). HOMA-IR (homeostasis model of assessment) increased by 40% after placebo and 1.5% after cabergoline treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that cabergoline therapy may improve glucose tolerance independent of weight loss, however, a larger, longer term study of dopamine receptor agonist therapy in obese individuals is warranted to confirm this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Karmally
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wardlaw
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077465:Cabergoline; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004873:Ergolines; D011388:Prolactin; D000077465:Cabergoline
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