orlistat and Liver-Diseases

Triglycerides participate in key metabolic functions such as energy storage, thermal insulation and as deposit for essential and non-essential fatty acids that can be used as precursors for the synthesis of structural and functional phospholipids. The liver is a central organ in the regulation of triglyceride metabolism, and it participates in triglyceride synthesis, export, uptake and oxidation. The metabolic syndrome and associated diseases are among the main concerns of public health worldwide. One of the metabolic syndrome components is impaired triglyceride metabolism. Diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome promote the appearance of hepatic alterations e.g., non-alcoholic steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. In this article, we review the molecular actions involved in impaired triglyceride metabolism and its association with hepatic diseases. We discuss mechanisms that reconcile the chronic inflammation and insulin resistance, and new concepts on the role of intestinal micro-flora permeability and proliferation in fatty liver etiology. We also describe the participation of oxidative stress in the progression of events leading from steatosis to steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Finally, we provide information regarding the mechanisms that link fatty acid accumulation during steatosis with changes in growth factors and cytokines that lead to the development of neoplastic cells. One of the main medical concerns vis-a-vis hepatic diseases is the lack of symptoms at the onset of the illness and, as result, its late diagnosis. The understandings of the molecular mechanisms that underlie hepatic diseases could help design strategies towards establishing markers for their accurate and timely diagnosis.

Topics: Fatty Liver; Fibrosis; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Lactones; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases; Liver Neoplasms; Metabolic Syndrome; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Orlistat; Oxidative Stress; Triglycerides

Losing weight by lifestyle interventions is the first-line treatment for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) but is limited by low compliance.. This study aimed to compare the effects of orlistat or an experimental high-protein/lower-carbohydrate diet with a control diet in Asian patients with obesity and MAFLD.. A total of 118 Asian patients with obesity and MAFLD confirmed with MRI-based proton density fat fraction with Dixon sequence were enrolled and allocated to the control group, the orlistat group, or the experimental diet group for 24 wk. The primary endpoint was the relative change in liver fat content (LFC) assessed by MRI-based proton density fat fraction.. A total of 118 subjects with obesity and MAFLD were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 39), the orlistat group (n = 40), or the experimental diet group (n = 39). All 3 groups demonstrated improvement in liver steatosis at wk 24. The absolute decrease in LFC in the orlistat group was 9.1% and 5.4% in the experimental diet group, both significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The relative reduction in LFC was 30.2% in the experimental diet group, which was significantly higher than the 12.2% observed in the control group (P = 0.01).. Orlistat and the experimental diet group reduced liver steatosis compared to the control group. This trial was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-1900027172). http://www.chictr.org.cn.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Diet; Fatty Liver; Humans; Lactones; Liver Diseases; Obesity; Orlistat; Protons

Evidence suggests that endocannabinoid system activation through the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is associated with enhanced liver injury, and CB1 antagonism may be beneficial. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of rimonabant (CB1 antagonist) on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a hepatocellular injury marker, and a hepatic inflammatory cytokine profile.. Post hoc review of 2 studies involving 50 obese women with PCOS and well matched for weight, randomised to weight reducing therapy; rimonabant (20 mg od) or orlistat (120 mg tds), or to insulin sensitising therapy metformin, (500 mg tds), or pioglitazone (45 mg od). No subject had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).. Treatment with rimonabant for 12 weeks reduced both ALT and weight (p < 0.01), and there was a negative correlation between Δ ALT and Δ HOMA-IR (p < 0.001), but not between Δ ALT and Δ weight. There was a significant reduction of weight with orlistat (p < 0.01); however, orlistat, metformin and pioglitazone had no effect on ALT. The free androgen index fell in all groups (p < 0.05). The inflammatory marker hs-CRP was reduced by pioglitazone (p < 0.001) alone and did not correlate with changes in ALT. The inflammatory cytokine profile for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL12, TNF-α, MCP-1 and INF-γ did not differ between groups. None of the interventions had an effect on biological variability of ALT.. Rimonabant through CB1 receptor blockade decreased serum ALT that was independent of weight loss and hepatic inflammatory markers in obese women with PCOS without NAFLD.. ISRCTN58369615 (February 2007; retrospectively registered) ISRCTN75758249 (October 2007; retrospectively registered).

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Anti-Obesity Agents; Body Mass Index; Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; Case-Control Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin Resistance; Lactones; Liver Diseases; Metformin; Obesity; Orlistat; Pioglitazone; Piperidines; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Prognosis; Pyrazoles; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Retrospective Studies; Rimonabant; Thiazolidinediones; Weight Loss

Topics: Adult; Anti-Obesity Agents; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Female; Humans; Lactones; Liver Diseases; Orlistat