Search

Obesity is the strongest risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to explore 7% weight reduction rates of mazindol alone or combined with metformin in non-diabetic obese Mexican subjects who had additional risk factors for T2D.In this randomized double-blind study, 137 participants received 1 mg mazindol (n = 65) alone or combined with 500 mg metformin (n = 72), twice a day, for 6 months.Mazindol and mazindol-metformin were similarly effective. However, when subjects were subclassified into non-diabetics and prediabetics, according to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) - 5.7% and 5.7 - 6.4%, respectively - and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) - 100 mg/dL and 100 - 125 mg/dL, respectively -, differences were evident. Prediabetics in the mazindol-metformin group had a higher rate of 7% weight reduction (78.4%, n = 37) compared to prediabetics treated with mazindol (48.3%, n = 29). Furthermore, mazindol-metformin treatment induced significant reductions in fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c in prediabetics compared to mazindol. No differences were found in any parameter between non-diabetics treated with mazindol (n = 36) and mazindol-metformin (n = 35).Our results highlight the effectiveness of mazindol-metformin to achieve higher rates of 7% weight reduction and to improve the glycemic profile in prediabetic obese subjects, which could be useful to prevent or delay T2D in these subjects.

Objective Mexico has the second largest prevalence of obesity among adults worldwide, a condition especially affecting the low-income population. There is a pressing need to improve therapeutic options for weight loss. Phentermine is an old and low-cost agent given as an adjuvant therapy for obesity for a 12-week period, at an initial dose of 15 mg or 30 mg. However, there are no precise guidelines on the suitability of both the starting dose and the continuation of treatment for 6 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3- and 6-month efficacy and safety of phentermine in obese Mexican patients to elucidate the aforementioned. Materials and methods In this prospective, multi-center, open-label study, 932 obese adults received 15 mg or 30 mg phentermine once daily for 6 months. Results 30 mg phentermine was more effective than 15 mg phentermine in improving anthropometric variables in the 3-month follow-up, but not after completing the 6-month treatment period. Nearly 40% of 3-month non-responders reached a body weight reduction of at least 5% at 6 months. Conversely, ~ 65% and 25% of 3-month responders maintained or improved, respectively, their body weight reduction with long-term phentermine. Potential tolerance as weight regain was ~ 10% from 3 to 6 months. None of the doses increased cardiovascular risk, although mild-to-moderate adverse events were more frequent with 30 mg phentermine. Conclusion 30 mg phentermine was more effective than 15 mg phentermine after 3 months, but not at 6 months of treatment. An important number of subjects could benefit following the therapy from 3 to 6 months.

Drug combinations are being studied as potential therapies to increase the efficacy or improve the safety profile of weight loss medications. This study was designed to determine the anorectic interaction and safety profile of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)/carbidopa + diethylpropion and 5-HTP/carbidopa + phentermine combinations in rats. The anorectic effect of individual drugs or in combination was evaluated by the sweetened milk test. Isobologram and interaction index were employed to determine the anorectic interaction between 5-HTP/carbidopa and diethylpropion or phentermine. Plasma serotonin (5-HT) was measured by ELISA. Safety of repeated doses of both combinations in rats was evaluated using the tail sphygmomanometer, cardiac ultrasound, hematic biometry and blood chemistry. A single oral 5-HTP, diethylpropion or phentermine dose increased the anorectic effect, in a dose-dependent fashion, in 12 h-fasted rats. A dose of carbidopa at 30 mg/kg reduced the 5-HTP-induced plasmatic serotonin concentration and augmented the 5-HTP-induced anorectic effect. Isobologram and interaction index indicated a potentiation interaction between 5-HTP/30 mg/kg carbidopa + diethylpropion and 5-HTP/30 mg/kg carbidopa + phentermine. Chronic administration of experimental ED40 of 5-HTP/30 mg/kg carbidopa + phentermine, but not 5-HTP/30 mg/kg carbidopa + diethylpropion, increased the mitral valve leaflets area. Moreover, there were no other significant changes in cardiovascular, hematic or blood parameters. Both combinations induced around 20% body weight loss after 3 months of oral administration. Results suggest that 5-HTP/30 mg/kg carbidopa potentiates the anorectic effect of diethylpropion and phentermine with an acceptable safety profile, but further clinical studies are necessary to establish their therapeutic potential in the obesity treatment.

The efficacy of anti-obesity drugs usually does not consider the high degree of interindividual variability in responses to the drug which could affect the decision to withdraw the drug early due to ineffectiveness or to continue therapy according to specific expectations of success. The aim of this study was to analyze body weight loss in kilograms during the first month (1 mo-BWLkg) of treatment with 30 mg phentermine and development of tolerance to phentermine, on its 6-month efficacy. One hundred sixty-six subjects with obesity were individually or jointly analyzed in the study. Subjects with 1 mo-BWLkg of kg < 3 kg who developed early tolerance did not achieve relevant BWR% (≥5%) at month 6, while the rest of the subgroups achieved increasing and progressive BWR%, according to their 1 mo-BWLkg range and time of onset of tolerance. The 1 mo-BWLkg and development of tolerance to phentermine could be useful to predict the expected 6-month efficacy trends in obese patients treated with 30 mg phentermine.

The current study investigates the anorectic interaction and safety of the mazindol-metformin combination in rats. Isobologram and interaction index were used to determine anorectic interaction between mazindol and metformin in the sweetened milk model. The safety profile of the mazindol-metformin combination was determined by measuring anxiety, blood pressure, hematic biometry and blood chemistry. An acute dose of mazindol and metformin administered per os, individually or as a mixture, has reduced the milk consumption in rats in a dose-dependent manner. Theoretical effective dose 40 (ED 40t) did not differ from the experimental effective dose 40 (ED 40e) obtained with the mazindol-metformin mixture in the anorexia experiments, by Student′s t-test. In addition, the interaction index confirmed the additive anorectic effect between both drugs. A single oral dose of ED 40e mazindol-metformin mixture induced anxiolysis in the elevated plus-maze test. Moreover, oral administration of mazindol-metformin combination for 3 months significantly decreased glycemia, but not blood pressure nor other parameters of hematic biometry and blood chemistry. Results suggest that mazindol-metformin combination exerts an additive anorectic effect, as well as anxiolytic and hypoglycemic properties. Mazindol-metformin combination might be useful in obese patients with anxiety disorders or diabetes risk factors.

Painful peripheral neuropathy can be associated with nerve damage caused by diabetes mellitus. Although pregabalin is the first-line therapy for peripheral neuropathy, it shows substantial discontinuation rates, mainly because of nervous system side effects as motor incoordination. Multimodal therapy may improve the motor side effect profile of pregabalin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction of pregabalin + thioctic acid or pregabalin + α-tocopherol on allodynia and motor performance in neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Efficacy of drugs separately or in combination was tested by tactile allodynia using von Frey filaments. Isobolographic and interaction index analysis were used to determine the antiallodynic interaction between pregabalin and either thioctic acid or α-tocopherol. Motor performance was measured using a rotarod test. Pregabalin, thioctic acid, and α-tocopherol reduced, in a dose-dependent fashion, tactile allodynia. Pregabalin + thioctic acid and pregabalin + α-tocopherol combinations also dose-dependently reduced allodynic behavior in diabetic rats. Isobolographic analysis revealed an additive interaction for both combinations. Consistently, the interaction indices confirmed the additive effect between pregabalin + thioctic acid and pregabalin + α-tocopherol. In addition, the administration of either combination improved motor incoordination induced by pregabalin. Data suggests that thioctic acid or α-tocopherol could positively impact the therapeutic profile of pregabalin, because they might be useful for reducing motor incoordination associated to pregabalin in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Preclinical Research & Development Current drugs for obesity treatment have limited efficacy and considerable adverse effects. Combination of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action at lower doses may produce a greater efficacy with a better safety profile. This study was designed to assess the anorectic effect and safety of a diethylpropion + topiramate mixture in rats. The anorectic effect of drugs was measured using a sweetened milk consumption model, and the corresponding interaction was determined by isobolographic analysis, interaction index and confidence intervals. Additionally, blood pressure was measured using a sphygmomanometer in the rat tail. Diethylpropion and topiramate alone or in combination increased the anorectic effect in a dose-dependent fashion in either nondeprived or 12 hr food-deprived rats. All theoretical ED30 values of diethylpropion + topiramate combinations at 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 dose ratios were significantly higher than experimental ED30 values. In addition, interaction indices and confidence intervals confirmed the potentiation between both drugs. Theoretical ED30 of diethylpropion + topiramate combination did not affect the blood pressure. Data suggests that low doses of the diethylpropion + topiramate combination can potentiate the anorectic effect of individual drugs with a better safety profile, which deserves further investigation in clinical trials.

Objective A fixed-dose combination (FDC) of D-norpseudoephedrine, tri-iodothyronine, atropine, aloin, and diazepam is used in Mexico for the short-term treatment of obesity; however, its efficacy and safety have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of this FDC in Mexican adult overweight and obese patients by a prospective, uncontrolled, multicenter, phase IV open-label study. Materials and methods 3,290 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ˃ 27 kg/m2 were included in the current study. Primary outcome was the absolute body weight loss, whilst secondary outcomes were the improvement of anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters as well as the description of adverse events. Results The FDC decreased the body weight and BMI by -9.0 ± 5.6 kg and -3.4 ± 2.2 kg/m2, respectively, at 6 months. In addition, 43.3% and 14.3% of subjects achieved at least 5% or 10% weight loss at 6 months, respectively. The FDC also significantly improved waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat, visceral fat, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, diabetes risk, and mortality risk, at 3 and 6 months. Moreover, the FDC seems to have better results in the following order: obese grade 3 ≈ obese grade 2 ˃ obese grade 1 ˃ overweight patients. Mild mouth dryness, anxiety, and headache were the main reported adverse events. Conclusion Data suggest that the FDC is effective and well tolerated for the short-term therapy of overweight and obesity in Mexican patients. .

Background: Obesity is a pandemic disease. Lifestyle modifications as diet and exercise remain as the first-line intervention for obesity; however, many patients fail to attain adequate weight loss and require drug treatment. Mazindol is a short-term useful agent in the treatment of obesity, whose safety profile has not been analyzed in Mexican population. Objective: The current study was performed to investigate the reports of adverse events, received in the supplier laboratory for 8 years (2009-2016) with the purpose of determine potential issues of safety, related to Mazindol (MZ1®). Methods: Adverse events were arranged in frequency tables and stratified by intensity and causality. Subgroups of sex, age and BMI with a higher frequency of side-effects were identified, as well as the main comorbidities and concomitant medications. Results: One thousand three hundred eighty-six adverse events from 581 reports were received from 2009 to 2016. Most of reports were generated by patients in the fourth decade of life in both groups (25.5%). The most frequent adverse events were dry mouth (17.2%), polydipsia (10.6%) and constipation (9.0%). Most of them were both mild (90.5%) and possible (59.2%). Constipation was an important cause of withdrawal. Conclusions: Data seems to indicate that 1 mg Mazindol is well tolerated for obesity treatment and its adverse events profile is acceptable. However, it is necessary to emphasize in the use appropriate of the drug, following the dosage schedule and indications approved.

Background: Obesity is a health problem worldwide. Although the first-line intervention is implementing a comprehensive program of diet, exercise and behavior changes, some patients require additional drug treatment. Among the medications used wide and effectively for obesity in Mexico is found a combination consisting of 5 active ingredients: nor-pseudoephedrine, triiodothyronine, atropine, aloin and diazepam (Redotex®), whose rationality and safety remains controversial. Objective: To analyze the adverse event reports received in the pharmacovigilance unit of the manufacturer company, from 2009 to 2014, in order to assess the existence of related potential safety issues. Method: Adverse events were sorted by frequency and classified by intensity and causality. The groups mainly affected by adverse events by age and sex were determined and the pattern of comorbidities and use of concomitant drugs was defined. Results: The number of reports recorded was 269, which corresponded to 609 adverse events. The greater frequency of reports occurred in the group of female 18-50 years old. The main adverse events were dry mouth and polydipsia. Most adverse events were classified both as mild and probable. Among 132 patients who used concomitant medications, 64 of them corresponded to the use of additional anti-obesity products. Conclusion: Except for some cases of misuse, there were no data to suspect the existence of special safety issues related with the use of the product; thus, considering the high anti-obesity efficacy reported for the study product (Redotex®), its adverse event profile seems acceptable.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the antinociceptive efficacy of an optimal morphine and metamizol combination on different levels of nociception (levels I, II, and III) using the "Pain-induced functional impairment model in the rat". The effect of acetylsalicylic acid was examined as a reference drug at the same levels of nociception. The antinociceptive effects produced by morphine (3.2 mg/kg s.c.) and metamizol (177.8 mg/kg s.c.) were studied either individually or in combination. The antinociceptive efficacies were expressed as either areas under the curve (AUCs), maximum effects as functionality index in percent of the time course, or the antinociceptive effects produced at 2 h after administration. Unlike morphine, the antinociceptive effects of acetylsalicylic acid decreased with increasing intensity of nociception. In summary, the analysis of antinociceptive efficacies produced by the co-administration of these drugs for different levels of nociception revealed that co-administration provided potentiated and better antinociceptive coverage throughout our observation time than did the individual drugs or the expected theoretical sum (using AUC or effects after 2 h). This is the first study to demonstrate that an optimal morphine and metamizol combination is able to produce potentiation of antinociceptive effects during intense pain.

Background Painful neuropathy is the most common and debilitating complication of diabetes and results in hyperalgesia and allodynia. Hyperglycemia clearly plays a key role in the development and progression of diabetic neuropathy. Current therapeutic approaches are only partially successful and they are only thought to reduce the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy. Some natural products offer combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties that may help to treat in a more integrative manner this condition. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to investigate the antineuropathic effect of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and mice without glucose control as well as the possible mechanism of action involved in this effect. Methods Rats and mice were injected with 50 or 200 mg/kg streptozotocin, respectively, to produce hyperglycemia. The formalin test and von Frey filaments were used to assess the nociceptive activity. Rota-rod was utilized to measure motor activity and malondialdehyde assay to determine anti-oxidative properties. Results After 3 weeks of diabetes induction, chemical hyperalgesia was observed in streptozotocin-injected rats. Oral acute administration of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin (0.3–30 mg/kg) decreased in a dose-dependent manner formalin-evoked hyperalgesia in diabetic rats. In addition, methiothepin (non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) and ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, 2 mg/kg, i.p.), but not naltrexone (opioid receptor antagonist, 1 mg/kg, s.c.), prevented 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin-induced antihyperalgesic effect. The anti-hyperalgesic effect of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin was similar to that produced by pregabalin (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Furthermore, oral acute administration of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin (30 mg/kg) reduced streptozotocin-induced changes in malondialdehyde concentration from plasma samples. Unlike pregabalin, 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin did not affect motor activity. Six weeks after diabetes induction, tactile allodynia was observed in the streptozotocin-injected rats. At this time, oral administration of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin (30 mg/kg) or pregabalin (10 mg/kg) reduced in a similar way tactile allodynia in diabetic rats. Finally, chronic oral administration of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin (30-300 mg/kg, 3 times/week, during 6 weeks), significantly prevented the development of mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Conclusions Data suggests that 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalin has acute and chronic effects in painful diabetic neuropathy. This effect seems to involve antioxidant properties as well as activation of 5-HT receptors and inhibition of guanylyl cyclase enzyme.