Introduction: Orlistat is an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and is used as an anti-obesity drug in many countries. However, there are no data available regarding the effects of orlistat on visceral fat accumulation in Japanese subjects. Therefore, this comparative, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orlistat in Japanese participants with excessive visceral fat accumulation and without dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension ("metabolic diseases").
Methods: The study population included Japanese participants with excessive visceral fat accumulation (waist circumference ≥ 85 cm in males and ≥ 90 cm in females, which corresponds to a visceral fat area of 100 cm2) and without metabolic diseases. Following a 12-week observation term, participants were randomized to the orlistat 60 mg group (n = 100) or placebo group (n = 100). Both drugs were administered orally three times daily for 24 weeks. Participants were also counseled to improve their diet and to maintain exercise throughout the study. Visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, body weight, body mass index, adverse reactions, laboratory tests, and blood pressure were regularly assessed.
Results: Visceral fat area, waist circumference, and body weight were significantly reduced in the orlistat group (mean ± standard error, - 13.50 ± 1.52%, - 2.51 ± 0.25%, and - 2.79 ± 0.30%, respectively) compared to the placebo group (- 5.45 ± 1.50%, - 1.55 ± 0.26%, and - 1.22 ± 0.28%, respectively) at the last assessment. The main adverse reactions were defecation-related symptoms including oily spotting and flatus with discharge, resulting from the pharmacological effects of orlistat. Most adverse reactions were mild, and none were serious or severe.
Conclusion: Orlistat administration reduced visceral fat area, waist circumference, and body weight in Japanese participants with excessive visceral fat and without metabolic diseases. In addition, safety was confirmed with a tolerable profile. Orlistat may be useful to reduce excessive visceral fat accumulation when used in combination with diet and exercise.
Trial registration: Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center identifier, JapicCTI-184005.
Funding: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Keywords: Body weight; Double-blind; Efficacy; Japanese; Lipase inhibitor; Obesity; Orlistat; Placebo-controlled; Randomized; Safety; Visceral fat; Waist circumference.