Effects of sibutramine on insulin resistance, metabolic parameters and abdominal fat mass

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is recognized as a major worldwide health problem. In particular, visceral fat accumulation is usually accompanied by insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, high uric acid and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels defined as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of sibutramine therapy on body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, visceral fat mass (VF) accumulation, insulin resistance and plasma lipid profile in central obese patients. Material and Methods: Demographic, biochemical and anthropometric measurements, insulin resistance that was calculated by using homeostasis model assessment of 43 obese patients treated with 15 mg/day sibutramine for 6 months were evaluated. Abdominal fat distributions were determined by ultrasound examination. Results: Sibutramine treatment accompanied with life style changes (diet and exercise) demonstrated significant reductions in BMI (p< 0.0001), total body fat mass (p< 0.01), waist circumference (p< 0.0001), subcutaneous (p< 0.05) and VF (p< 0.0001), and HOMA-IR (p< 0.01). Serum total cholesterol (p< 0.05) and triglyceride (p< 0.05) levels reduced significantly after the sibutramine treatment. BMI was inversely associated with HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Sibutramine is a well-tolerated drug and may improve metabolic abnormalities in insulin resistance syndrome. In addition, it may have beneficial effects by preventing the progression of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2007 by Türkiye Klinikleri.