Effects of Orlistat - induced Weight Loss on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Chinese Subjects

Objectives To observe the influence of weight loss induced by orlistat on several cardiovascular diseases risk factors in obese Chinese subjects. Methods Sixty obese Chinese patients participated in a 24 week clinical trial. Participants were prescribed a slightly hypocaloric diet and exercise, then they were randomly assigned double -blind treatment with either orlistat 120 mg three times a day or placebo. Their body weight, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and serum lipid profile were performed before and after the weight loss intervention. Results After 24 weeks, orlistat -treated group lost more of their body weight than placebo group (6. 66 ± 0. 52 kg, 8. 44±4.08% and 1. 98 ± 0. 44 kg, 2. 44±1. 74 % , respectively, P < 0. 05) . Moreover, after treatment, orlistat - treated patients showed significant decreases in serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - cholesterol and high density lipoprotein - cholesterol ( P < 0.01), but in placebo group we found no change