Sibutramine versus Metformin: assessment of anthropometric, lipid and glycemic parameters in obese and overweight high-risk patients

ABSTRACT

Anthropometric, lipid and glycemic parameters were compared in obese or overweight high-risk patients. This double-blind trial included 16 obese and overweight patients who followed a standard calorie-controlled diet and received 15mg/day sibutramine or 1700mg/day metformin over three months. The changes observed in the sibutramine and metformin groups were, respectively body mass index -6.0% and -4.0%; abdominal circumference -7.9% and -6.6%; fatty tissue -10.5% and -1.7%; total cholesterol -2.9% and -2.8%; LDL-C -0.01% and -0.1%; HDL-C -11.0% and -6.8%; total cholesterol/ HDL-C ratio +12.0% and +4.5%; HDL-C-to-LDL-C ratio -7.2% and -0.1%; triglycerides +14.0% and +22.3%; fasting glucose +4.3% and +1.4%; insulin -10.4% and -4.9%; HOMA -8.0% and -3.9%. Although the study was conducted with only 16 patients and the drugs were taken for only three months, we can see that sibutramine-treated obese or overweight high-risk patients showed a reduction of anthropometric parameters and better control of insulin resistance.

RESUMO

Comparar os parâmetros antropométricos, lipídicos e glicêmicos em pacientes obesos ou sobrepeso de risco elevado. Estudo duplo cego com 16 pacientes obesos ou em sobrepeso de risco elevado que receberam tratamento com dieta mais 15mg/dia de sibutramina ou 1700mg/dia de metformina durante três meses. As mudanças nos parâmetros avaliados no grupo sibutramina e metformina foram índice de massa corporal (-6,0% vs. -4,0%), circunferência abdominal (-7,9% vs. -6,6%), tecido adiposo (-10,5% vs. -1,7%), colesterol total (-2,9% vs. -2,8%), LDL-C (-0,01% vs. -0,1%), HDL-C (-11,0% vs. -6,8%), razão colesterol total/HDL-C (12,0% vs. 4,5%), razão HDL-C/LDL-C (-7,2% vs. -0,1%), triglicerídeos (14,0% vs. 22,3%), glicemia de jejum (4,3% vs. 1,4%), insulina (-10,4% vs. -4,9%), HOMA (-8,0% vs. -3,9%). Embora o estudo tenha sido conduzido com somente 16 pacientes e o uso dos medicamentos ter sido por apenas três meses, pode-se observar que o tratamento com sibutramina em pacientes obesos ou sobrepeso de risco elevado mostrou uma redução nos parâmetros antropométricos e melhor controle na resistência a insulina.