ABSTRACT
42 obese women who lost at least 6 kg after 26 weeks on fenfluramine tablets had their treatment changed to either an equivalent dose of a sustained-release preparation of fenfluramine or matching placebo in double-blind fashion. Of the 21 given placebo all but 2 regained weight over the following year. Of the 21 crossed over to fenfluramine, 8 maintained their weight loss, 7 regained weight, and 6 had to be withdrawn for reasons other than weight gain. Plasma concentrations of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine taken before and 4 weeks after the crossover were similar in both responders and non-responders, but non-responders did not maintain their drug levels for as long as did the responders. Longer controlled administration of fenfluramine will prevent weight regain in some obese women but the hazards of prolonged use remain to be evaluated.
Subject(s)
Fenfluramine/therapeutic use , Obesity/drug therapy , Body Weight/drug effects , Clinical Trials as Topic , Delayed-Action Preparations , Double-Blind Method , Female , Fenfluramine/adverse effects , Fenfluramine/blood , Humans , Hypertension, Pulmonary/chemically induced , Norfenfluramine/blood , Recurrence , Tablets , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is a naturally occurring rich source of essential fatty acids, especially linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid. It has been suggested that it has antiobesity properties. This double-blind 12-week study was undertaken in 100 women with substantial obesity: 40 with refractory obesity, and 60 at time of initial referral to a hospital clinic. Seventy-four subjects completed the study. Those treated with EPO were comparable in age and degree of obesity with the placebo-treated group. There was no significant difference in the weight loss achieved by those taking EPO compared with placebo, either in the subjects with refractory obesity or in those treated at time of initial referral. It would appear that any antiobesity property possessed by EPO is clinically insignificant.
Subject(s)
Fatty Acids, Essential , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/therapeutic use , Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use , Obesity/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Clinical Trials as Topic , Double-Blind Method , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Hypolipidemic Agents/administration & dosage , Linoleic Acids , Middle Aged , Oenothera biennis , Plant Oils , gamma-Linolenic AcidABSTRACT
A passive haemagglutination test (PHT) which has been developed for the detection of antibodies to the contagious equine metritis organism (CEMO) in serum is described. Samples from each of 30 mares with metritis were positive with titres in the range 256 to 4096. Samples from each of 239 clinically normal mares and 30 colts and fillies believed not to have been exposed to CEMO were negative with titres of less than 256, the majority of samples (97 per cent) showing a titre of 32 or less.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis , Bacterial Infections/veterinary , Endometritis/veterinary , Hemagglutination Tests , Horse Diseases/diagnosis , Animals , Bacteria/immunology , Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Endometritis/diagnosis , Female , HorsesABSTRACT
Two haemagglutination tests using preserved turkey erythrocytes are described for the detection of thyroglobulin and microsomal antibodies, respectively. Comparative studies with the more traditional sheep cell techniques show good correlation of titres when testing sera from patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.
