title: Effects of Obex in Overweight and Obese Subjects With or Without Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Obex is a dietary supplement to help weight loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Obex in overweight/obese participants with or without impaired fasting glucose. This was an open-label pilot study conducted with 40 overweight and obese subjects, 23-60 years old with a body mass index of 25-44 kg/m2(20 participants with impaired fasting glucose [IFG] and 20 with normal glucose levels). Participants received Obex at a dose of one sachet before the two main meals of each day for 3 months. In addition to anthropometric measures and blood pressure (BP), fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, insulin, creatinine, and uric acid were determined. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function (HOMA-B) were assessed. Three indirect indices were used to calculate insulin sensitivity. Compared to baseline, Obex significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, and waist/height ratio in both groups of participants (p <.05). In individuals without IFG, Obex improved HDL-c (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) (p <.0001) and lowered BP (p <.05). After 3 months of Obex, subjects with IFG showed a reduction in fasting glucose concentrations (p <.0001). Compared to baseline, this group also showed improved insulin sensitivity and HDL-c (p <.05). In conclusion, the consumption of Obex contributed to weight reduction, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, as well as HDL-c, and appears to be safe in overweight/obese adults with impaired fasting glucose. Obex may be beneficial for weight loss, indicating that further studies are required.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Immunology , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Rode
authors.affiliation: a Department of Immunology , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: b Department of Diabetes , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Aimee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Álvarez
authors.affiliation: c Biochemical Laboratory , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Ragmila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Echevarría
authors.affiliation: b Department of Diabetes , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Antonio Darwin
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.affiliation: a Department of Immunology , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Ileana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cubas-Dueñas
authors.affiliation: d Endocrinology Service , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Silvia Elena
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Turcios-Tristá
authors.affiliation: e Diabetes Care Center , National Institute of Endocrinology , Havana , Cuba.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Díaz-Díaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D014527:Uric Acid; D003404:Creatinine
keywords: dietary supplement; impaired fasting glucose; insulin resistance; obesity; weight loss