Growth Factor/Insulin-like Growth Factor (GH/IGF)-1 Axis in Obese Subjects in Treatment With Orlistat
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The beneficial effects on plasma lipids of Orlistat, a selective gastrointestinal lipase
inhibitor, are largely independent of weight loss, and might include differential effects
plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Apart from their well-known effects on insulin
resistance pathogenesis, elevated NEFA levels probably play also the most important role at
peripheral levels in the pathogenesis of Growth Hormone (GH) insufficiency in obesity. Aim of
this observational, mono-centre, randomized, simple-blind, cross-over study is to verify if
the short-term treatment with Orlistat may results in decline in NEFA circulating levels when
used in conjunction with low-fat diet and if this effect may restore the endogenous activity
of GH/ Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis, in the context of GH regulation of
lipoprotein metabolism, thus adding a further benefit of Orlistat in obesity cross-linked
neuroendocrine and metabolic dearrangement.