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1.
Polymorphisms in K13 and falcipain-2 associated with artemisinin resistance are not prevalent in Plasmodium falciparum isolated from Ugandan children.
Conrad, MD, Bigira, V, Kapisi, J, Muhindo, M, Kamya, MR, Havlir, DV, Dorsey, G, Rosenthal, PJ
PloS one. 2014;(8):e105690
Abstract
The emergence of resistance to artemisinin derivatives in Southeast Asia, manifested as delayed clearance of Plasmodium falciparum following treatment with artemisinins, is a major concern. Recently, the artemisinin resistance phenotype was attributed to mutations in portions of a P. falciparum gene (PF3D7_1343700) encoding kelch (K13) propeller domains, providing a molecular marker to monitor the spread of resistance. The P. falciparum cysteine protease falcipain-2 (FP2; PF3D7_1115700) has been shown to contribute to artemisinin action, as hemoglobin degradation is required for potent drug activity, and a stop mutation in the FP2 gene was identified in parasites selected for artemisinin resistance. Although delayed parasite clearance after artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has not yet been noted in Uganda and ACTs remain highly efficacious, characterizing the diversity of these genes is important to assess the potential for resistance selection and to provide a baseline for future surveillance. We therefore sequenced the K13-propeller domain and FP2 gene in P. falciparum isolates from children previously treated with ACT in Uganda, including samples from 2006-7 (n = 49) and from 2010-12 (n = 175). Using 3D7 as the reference genome, we identified 5 non-synonymous polymorphisms in the K13-propeller domain (133 isolates) and 35 in FP2 (160 isolates); these did not include the polymorphisms recently associated with resistance after in vitro selection or identified in isolates from Asia. The prevalence of K13-propeller and FP2 polymorphisms did not increase over time, and was not associated with either time since prior receipt of an ACT or the persistence of parasites ≥2 days following treatment with an ACT. Thus, the K13-propeller and FP2 polymorphisms associated with artemisinin resistance are not prevalent in Uganda, and we did not see evidence for selection of polymorphisms in these genes.
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2.
Effect of vorapaxar on myocardial infarction in the thrombin receptor antagonist for clinical event reduction in acute coronary syndrome (TRA·CER) trial.
Leonardi, S, Tricoci, P, White, HD, Armstrong, PW, Huang, Z, Wallentin, L, Aylward, PE, Moliterno, DJ, Van de Werf, F, Chen, E, et al
European heart journal. 2013;(23):1723-31
Abstract
AIMS: The TRA·CER trial compared vorapaxar, a novel platelet protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 antagonist, with placebo in 12 944 patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS). In this analysis, we explored the effect of vorapaxar on myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS A blinded, independent central endpoint adjudication committee prospectively defined and classified MI according to the universal MI definition, including peak cardiac marker value (creatine kinase-MB [CK-MB] and/or troponin). Because the trial failed to meet its primary endpoint, these analyses are considered exploratory. During a median follow-up of 502 days, 1580 MIs occurred in 1319 patients. The majority (n = 1025, 64.9%) were type 1 (spontaneous) MI, followed by type 4a [percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-related] MI (n = 352; 22.3%). Compared with placebo, vorapaxar reduced the hazard of a first MI of any type by 12% [hazard ratio (HR), 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-0.98; P = 0.021] and the hazard of total number of MIs (first and subsequent) by 14% (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97; P = 0.014), an effect that was sustained over time. Vorapaxar reduced type 1 MI by 17% (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.95; P = 0.007). Type 4a MIs were not significantly reduced by vorapaxar (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73-1.12; P = 0.35). Vorapaxar effect was consistent across MI sizes defined by peak cardiac marker elevations and across key clinical subgroups; however, in patients not treated with thienopyridine at baseline (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.92) compared with patients who received thienopyridine (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.81-1.02), there was a trend towards a higher effect (Pint = 0.077). CONCLUSION The PAR-1 antagonist vorapaxar was associated with a reduction of MI, including total number of infarctions. This reduction was sustained over time and was mostly evident in type 1 MI, the most common type of MI observed.
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3.
A randomized double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of orlistat versus placebo in obese patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
de Castro, JJ, Dias, T, Chambel, P, Carvalheiro, M, Correia, LG, Guerreiro, L, Marques, O, Medina, JL, Nobre, E, Nunes, JS, et al
Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgao oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. 2009;(12):1361-74
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obesity is a chronic disease and a serious health problem that leads to increased prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and gallbladder disease. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of orlistat for weight loss and improved lipid profile compared to placebo in obese patients with hypercholesterolemia, treated over a period of 6 months. METHODOLOGY In a 6-month, multicenter (10 centers in Portugal), double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study, 166 patients, aged 18-65 years, body mass index (BMI) > or = 27 kg/m2, LDL cholesterol > 155 mg/dl, were randomized to a reduced calorie diet (600 kcal/day deficit) plus orlistat three times a day or placebo. Exclusion criteria included triglycerides > 400 mg/dl, severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, type 1 or 2 diabetes under pharmacological treatment, and gastrointestinal or pancreatic disease. RESULTS The mean difference in weight from baseline was 5.9% (5.6 kg) in the orlistat group vs. 2.3% (2.2 kg) in the placebo group. In the orlistat group 49% of patients achieved 5-10% weight loss and 8.8% achieved > 10%. The orlistat group showed a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol, with similar changes for HDL in both treatment groups. The frequency of gastrointestinal adverse events was slightly higher in the orlistat group than in the placebo group, leading to discontinuation in 7 patients. CONCLUSION Treatment with orlistat plus a reduced calorie diet for 6 months achieved significant reductions in weight, BMI and lipid parameters.
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4.
Weight loss larger than 10% is needed for general improvement of levels of circulating adiponectin and markers of inflammation in obese subjects: a 3-year weight loss study.
Madsen, EL, Rissanen, A, Bruun, JM, Skogstrand, K, Tonstad, S, Hougaard, DM, Richelsen, B
European journal of endocrinology. 2008;(2):179-87
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of: I) short- (8 weeks), II) long-term (3 years) weight loss, and III) the degree of weight loss on circulating levels of adiponectin, high sensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fibrinogen in obese subjects. Moreover, to evaluate the effect of the lipase inhibitor, orlistat, on these parameters. DESIGN Weight loss induced in 93 obese subjects (mean weight: 108.9+/-15.8 kg) through 8-week very-low-energy diet (VLED, 800 kcal/day) followed by randomization to orlistat or placebo together with lifestyle intervention for further 3 years. Adiponectin and hs-CRP were measured at baseline, after 8 weeks of VLED and 6, 12, and 36 months after the VLED by flowmetric xMAP technology (Luminex Multi-Analyte Profiling System, Luminex Corp., Austin, TX, USA). Fibrinogen was measured in a coagulation assay. RESULTS Weight loss after VLED treatment was 14.3+/-4.5 kg and after 3 years 7.7+/-8.7 kg. Orlistat-treated subjects regained 3.9 kg less than placebo-treated from the end of the VLED to 3 years (P=0.01). No differences were detected between the two groups regarding changes in adiponectin, hs-CRP, or fibrinogen. Accordingly, the groups were combined for further analyses. Serum adiponectin increased by 22% (P<0.05) after the VLED but returned to baseline after 3 years. Both short- and long-term weight losses needed to be in excess of 10% (approximately 12 kg) in order to increase adiponectin levels significantly. Weight loss was associated with a significant decrease in hs-CRP. Fibrinogen decreased by 12% (P<0.05) after 3 years. CONCLUSIONS In obese subjects, weight loss was associated with an increase in serum adiponectin and a decrease in hs-CRP and plasma fibrinogen. Long-term weight loss (3 years) must exceed 10% to induce a combined significant improvement in these inflammatory markers.
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5.
Effect of the orlistat on serum endotoxin lipopolysaccharide and adipocytokines in South Asian individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.
Dixon, AN, Valsamakis, G, Hanif, MW, Field, A, Boutsiadis, A, Harte, A, McTernan, PG, Barnett, AH, Kumar, S
International journal of clinical practice. 2008;(7):1124-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orlistat has been shown to increase adiponectin and reduce progression to type 2 diabetes in obese Caucasians. Some effects of orlistat are thought to be independent of weight loss by altering gut flora and the production of endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We studied the effect of dietary treatment with and without orlistat in South Asian individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) on adiponectin and inflammatory markers including LPS. METHODS South Asian individuals were randomised to either dietary treatment with orlistat or dietary treatment alone. At the end of 12 months, a comparison was made between the two groups for differences in anthropomorphic measurements and serum markers. RESULTS Three hundred and five individuals underwent oral glucose tolerance test of whom 40 had IGT. Complete baseline and 1-year data was available for 31 patients. After 1 year, patients in the orlistat group demonstrated a greater but insignificant decrease in weight (4.5 +/- 0.1 kg), and a significant increase in adiponectin (6.73 +/- 3.2 microg/ml) and decrease in LPS (4.55 +/- 1.98 EU/ml) compared with- the diet-alone group. In the orlistat group the reduction in LPS was correlated with the increase in adiponectin (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION The increase in adiponectin levels in the orlistat group would suggest that orlistat may reduce the progression to type 2 diabetes in South Asian individuals by raising serum adiponectin. The finding that LPS levels are also reduced by orlistat and that this reduction correlates with the increase in adiponectin raises the possibility that the increase in adiponectin may be mediated via an effect on LPS levels.
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6.
Effect of orlistat on weight regain and cardiovascular risk factors following a very-low-energy diet in abdominally obese patients: a 3-year randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Richelsen, B, Tonstad, S, Rössner, S, Toubro, S, Niskanen, L, Madsbad, S, Mustajoki, P, Rissanen, A
Diabetes care. 2007;(1):27-32
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of orlistat on the maintenance of weight loss over 3 years following a major weight loss induced by very-low-energy diet (VLED) in obese patients with metabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glucose, and diet-treated type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Initially, weight loss was induced by an 8-week VLED (600-800 kcal/day) in 383 patients with a mean BMI of 37.5 kg/m(2) (range 30.0-45.2). Those who lost > or = 5% of their body weight (309 of 383 patients) were then randomized to receive lifestyle counseling for 3 years together with either orlistat 120 mg t.i.d. or matching placebo capsules. Primary end points were the maintenance of > or = 5% weight loss after 3 years. Additionally, differences in the development of type 2 diabetes between orlistat and placebo were analyzed. RESULTS The VLED induced a mean weight loss of 14.4 +/- 2.0 kg among the subsequently randomized patients. The mean weight gain after 3 years was lower with orlistat than with placebo (4.6 +/- 8.6 vs. 7.0 +/- 7.1 kg; P < 0.02). The number of participants who achieved > or =5% weight loss also favored orlistat (67 vs. 56%; P = 0.037). Waist circumference was significantly more reduced in the orlistat group (P < 0.05), but no other differences in the risk factors were observed between the two groups. The incidences of new cases of type 2 diabetes were significantly reduced in the orlistat group (8 cases out of 153 subjects) versus placebo (17 cases out of 156 subjects) (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS The addition of orlistat to lifestyle intervention was associated with maintenance of an extra 2.4 kg weight loss after VLED for up to 3 years in obese subjects. The combination of orlistat and lifestyle intervention was associated with a reduced occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
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7.
Low-dose orlistat effects on body weight of mildly to moderately overweight individuals: a 16 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Anderson, JW, Schwartz, SM, Hauptman, J, Boldrin, M, Rossi, M, Bansal, V, Hale, CA
The Annals of pharmacotherapy. 2006;(10):1717-23
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lifestyle measures are considered the first line of therapy for treating overweight individuals, but many are unable to achieve a meaningful weight loss. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of orlistat 60 mg, given 3 times daily, for weight loss in mildly to moderately overweight individuals. METHODS A multicenter, 16 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 391 overweight subjects at 20 US centers. The main outcome measure was change in weight from baseline to week 16; secondary measures included changes in body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting lipoprotein and glucose levels. RESULTS Subjects in both groups lost weight over the treatment period; however, orlistat-treated subjects lost significantly more weight than placebo-treated subjects beyond 2 weeks of treatment. Weight loss from baseline to week 16 was significantly greater in participants receiving orlistat versus those receiving placebo (3.05 vs 1.90 kg; p < 0.001, intent-to-treat analysis). Orlistat-treated subjects who completed 16 weeks of treatment lost 4.8 +/- 0.35% (mean +/- SE) of baseline weight compared with 3.1 +/- 0.38% for the placebo group (p < 0.001). Orlistat-treated subjects, compared with those receiving placebo, also demonstrated a greater relative reduction in total (-4.4% vs 0.0%; p = 0.004) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-7.2% vs -0.6%; p = 0.005) and both diastolic (-3.9% vs -0.5%; p = 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (-4.7% vs -1.8%; p = 0.004). Both groups showed a similar safety profile; gastrointestinal events were significantly more common in the orlistat-treated subjects. CONCLUSIONS The use of orlistat 60 mg by mildly to moderately overweight individuals produced significant weight loss in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and self-instructional materials. This amount of weight loss was associated with improvements in several weight-related risk factors. Orlistat 60 mg may be a useful adjunct to lifestyle measures and has the potential to contribute significantly to weight and risk factor improvement for overweight individuals.
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8.
Orlistat in the treatment of overweight or obese Chinese patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
Shi, YF, Pan, CY, Hill, J, Gao, Y
Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association. 2005;(12):1737-43
Abstract
AIMS: Orlistat promotes weight loss in overweight and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes receiving hypoglycaemic treatment, but has not been investigated in patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated Type 2 diabetes. We evaluated the efficacy of 24 weeks' treatment with orlistat, combined with a mildly reduced-calorie diet, on weight loss and glycaemic control in overweight and obese patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated Type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 249 Chinese patients (body mass index 25-40 kg/m2) with recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetes were randomized to placebo (n=124) or orlistat 120 mg (n=125) three times daily; all patients followed a mildly reduced-calorie diet. Patients had HbA1c 6.5-8.5% (mean 7.3%) and had never received any glucose-lowering medication. RESULTS Orlistat-treated patients achieved significantly greater weight loss at the study end than placebo-treated patients (-5.4 vs. -2.4 kg; P<0.0001). More orlistat than placebo patients lost>or=5% (60.5 vs. 26.8%; P<0.0001) and >or=10% of their body weight (20.2 vs. 4.9%; P=0.0002). A significantly greater decrease in HbA(1c) from baseline was obtained with orlistat than placebo (-1.0 vs. -0.6%; P=0.0008). Orlistat-treated patients achieved a significantly greater decrease in fasting plasma glucose (-1.3 vs. -0.5 mmol/l; P=0.0003) and in the 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (-4.1 vs. -1.4 mmol/l; P<0.0001) than placebo recipients. Also, more orlistat- than placebo-treated patients improved from diabetic status to normal or impaired glucose tolerance (44.3 vs. 32.5%; P=0.0763) after 24 weeks. Orlistat also produced improvements in lipid profiles and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS In combination with a mildly reduced-calorie diet, orlistat significantly reduces body weight, and improves glycaemic control and several cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese Chinese patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
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9.
Effect of orlistat on weight and body composition in obese adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.
Chanoine, JP, Hampl, S, Jensen, C, Boldrin, M, Hauptman, J
JAMA. 2005;(23):2873-83
Abstract
CONTEXT The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is increasing rapidly. In this population, behavioral therapy alone has had limited success in providing meaningful, sustained weight reduction, and pharmacological treatment has not been extensively studied. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of orlistat in weight management of adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Multicenter, 54-week (August 2000-October 2002), randomized, double-blind study of 539 obese adolescents (aged 12-16 years; body mass index [BMI] >or=2 units above the 95th percentile) at 32 centers in the United States and Canada. INTERVENTIONS A 120-mg dose of orlistat (n = 357) or placebo (n = 182) 3 times daily for 1 year, plus a mildly hypocaloric diet (30% fat calories), exercise, and behavioral therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Change in BMI; secondary measures included changes in waist and hip circumference, weight loss, lipid measurements, and glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose challenge. RESULTS There was a decrease in BMI in both treatment groups up to week 12, thereafter stabilizing with orlistat but increasing beyond baseline with placebo. At the end of the study, BMI had decreased by 0.55 with orlistat but increased by 0.31 with placebo (P = .001). Compared with 15.7% of the placebo group, 26.5% of participants taking orlistat had a 5% or higher decrease in BMI (P = .005); 4.5% and 13.3%, respectively, had a 10% or higher decrease in BMI (P = .002). At study end, weight had increased 0.53 kg with orlistat and 3.14 kg with placebo (P<.001). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry showed that this difference was explained by changes in fat mass. Waist circumference decreased in the orlistat group but increased in the placebo group (-1.33 cm vs +0.12 cm; P<.05). Generally mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract adverse events occurred in 9% to 50% of the orlistat group and in 1% to 13% of the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS In combination with diet, exercise, and behavioral modification, orlistat statistically significantly improved weight management in obese adolescents compared with placebo. The use of orlistat for 1 year in this adolescent population did not raise major safety issues although gastrointestinal adverse events were more common in the orlistat group.
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10.
Effect of orlistat on cardiovascular disease risk in obese adults.
Swinburn, BA, Carey, D, Hills, AP, Hooper, M, Marks, S, Proietto, J, Strauss, BJ, Sullivan, D, Welborn, TA, Caterson, ID
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. 2005;(3):254-62
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of orlistat vs. placebo on the predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in obese people with one or more cardiovascular risk factors treated for 12 months, in conjunction with a fat-reduced, but otherwise ad libitum, diet. METHODS A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study was performed in conjunction with a fat-reduced diet and physical activity advice for 1 year. Participants (n = 339) from eight centres in Australia and New Zealand were randomized to either orlistat (120 mg) three times daily (n = 104 women, 66 men; mean +/- s.d. age = 52.0 +/- 7.5 years, body mass index (BMI) = 37.6 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2)) or placebo three times daily (n = 89 women, 80 men; age = 52.5 +/- 7.4 years, BMI = 38.0 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2)). The primary efficacy criterion was the 10-year risk of developing CVD calculated from the Framingham equation. Secondary efficacy criteria were body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol (total, LDL and HDL), glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin and quality of life. RESULTS There was no difference in the change in 10-year CVD risk between orlistat and placebo groups over 1 year. The orlistat group, however, had significant favourable changes in many of the individual CVD risk factors (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, glucose, glycated haemoglobin, insulin, body weight and waist circumference) and one of the domains of quality of life measured by means of the SF-36 questionnaire (vitality), compared to the placebo group. Significant reductions in medication use for hypertension and diabetes were observed in the orlistat group, compared to those in placebo, but there were no significant differences in medication use for blood lipids. CONCLUSIONS Orlistat may have reduced CVD risk, as judged by the favourable changes in individual risk factors and reductions in medication use, but the method used in order to measure absolute CVD risk in this study (Framingham CVD equation) was not sensitive enough to detect the changes in this relatively low-risk group (approximately 10% of risk of a CVD event over 10 years).