title: CB(1) blockade-induced weight loss over 48 weeks decreases liver fat in proportion to weight loss in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies in mice have suggested that endocannabinoid blockade using the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) blocker rimonabant prevents obesity-induced hepatic steatosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine effects of rimonabant on liver fat in humans, we measured liver fat content by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 37 subjects who used either a CB1 blocker rimonabant or placebo in a double-blind, randomized manner. This was retrospectively compared with a historical hypocaloric diet weight loss group (n=23).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight loss averaged 8.5±1.4 kg in the rimonabant, 1.7±1.0 kg in the placebo and 7.5±0.2 kg in the hypocaloric diet group (P<0.001, rimonabant vs placebo; NS, rimonabant vs hypocaloric diet). Liver fat decreased more in the rimonabant (5.9% (2.5-14.6%) vs 1.8% (0.9-3.5%), before vs after) than in the placebo group (6.8% (2.2-15.7%) vs 4.9% (1.6-7.8%), before vs after, P<0.05). The percentage change in body weight correlated closely with the percentage loss of liver fat (r=0.70, P>0.0001). The decreases in liver fat were comparable between the rimonabant and the young historical hypocaloric diet groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that, unlike in mice, in humans rimonabant decreases liver fat in proportion to weight loss.
authors: Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Bergholm
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sevastianova
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Santos
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kotronen
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Urjansson
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hakkarainen
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lundbom
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tiikkainen
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Rissanen
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Lundbom
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Yki-Järvinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077285:Rimonabant; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D000077285:Rimonabant