orlistat and Coronary-Disease

Orlistat is an antiobesity drug with a well documented efficacy in weight reduction and weight maintenance. Weight reduction with orlistat has been associated with a favourable effect on obesity-related cardiovascular risk factors. Orlistat treatment is associated with a reduction in serum insulin levels. Moreover, orlistat reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and lowers the required dose of metformin, sulfonylureas and insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, orlistat can reduce total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and improve postprandial triglyceridemia, as well as the low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL/HDL ratio). Moreover, orlistat appears to have a favourable effect on some inflammatory markers, such as TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 and has a time-depended effect on some haemostatic factors.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Apolipoproteins; Cardiovascular Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Coronary Disease; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Humans; Lactones; Lipoproteins; Orlistat; Risk Factors; Triglycerides; Weight Loss

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death of men and women in the United States. The accumulation of visceral adipose tissue, as opposed to subcutaneous fat, increases the risk of developing CVD and metabolic disease. Because visceral adipose tissue uniquely contributes to the pathophysiology of CVD and insulin resistance, waist circumference is now being considered as a more useful marker of potential health risks associated with overweight and obesity than body mass index. Weight loss, particularly a reduction in waist circumference, improves insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and serum adipocytokines, thereby reducing the risk of developing chronic disease and CVD.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Coronary Disease; Cyclobutanes; Exercise; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Lactones; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Orlistat; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Rimonabant

Recognition by the American Heart Association that obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease has prompted health providers to take a more active role in obesity management. Obesity has long been known to accompany a host of chronic diseases, e.g., type II diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. We now recognize that obesity is itself a chronic disease with a complex etiology; like diabetes and hypertension, it is treatable with a similar chronic disease treatment model. Relatively modest weight loss confers disproportionate health benefits, improving a roster of risk factors. Diet, exercise, and behavior modification still compose the gold standard of treatment. If these measures fail, medication and surgery should be considered for appropriate patients. With current techniques, many patients can achieve realistic weight goals that can be maintained over the long term. Published management guidelines can now assist in integrating the practical applications of obesity-related research findings into everyday clinical practice.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Coronary Disease; Cyclobutanes; Humans; Lactones; Obesity; Orlistat; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

More than half of the men and women in the United States are overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for various diseases, most notably, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and coronary heart disease (CHD). The location of excessive body fat, particularly in the visceral area, has the strongest association with these factors that comprise the insulin resistance syndrome. A reduction in as little as 10% of baseline weight has been shown to improve the control of blood pressure and glucose, as well as to reduce triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Therefore, obesity should be considered a predisposing CHD risk factor, and treatment with diet, exercise, and newer pharmacologic agents can help patients achieve and maintain desired weight-loss goals.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Arteriosclerosis; Coronary Disease; Diabetes Complications; Female; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Hypertension; Insulin Resistance; Lactones; Male; Obesity; Orlistat; Risk Factors; Weight Loss