Authors | Van Gaal LF, Rissanen AM, Scheen AJ, Ziegler O, Rossner S; RIO-Europe Study Group. | |
Title | Effects of the cannabinoid-1 receptor blocker rimonabant on weight reduction and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight patients: 1-year experience from the RIO-Europe study | |
Full source | Lancet. 2005 Apr;365(9468):1389-97. | |
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Abstract | BACKGROUND:
In animal models, cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1) blockade produces a lean
phenotype, with resistance to diet-induced obesity and associated dyslipidaemia.
We assessed the effect of rimonabant, a selective CB1 blocker, on bodyweight
and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight or obese patients. METHODS: patients with body-mass index 30 kg/m2 or greater, or body-mass index greater than 27 kg/m2 with treated or untreated dyslipidaemia, hypertension, or both, were randomised to receive double-blind treatment with placebo, 5 mg rimonabant, or 20 mg rimonabant once daily in addition to a mild hypocaloric diet (600 kcal/day deficit). The primary efficacy endpoint was weight change from baseline after 1 year of treatment in the intention-to-treat population. FINDINGS: Weight loss at 1 year was significantly greater in patients treated with rimonabant 5 mg (mean -3.4 kg [SD 5.7]; p=0.002 vs placebo) and 20 mg (-6.6 kg [7.2]; p<0.001 vs placebo) compared with placebo (-1.8 kg [6.4]). Significantly more patients treated with rimonabant 20 mg than placebo achieved weight loss of 5% or greater (p<0.001) and 10% or greater (p<0.001). Rimonabant 20 mg produced significantly greater improvements than placebo in waist circumference, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin resistance, and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. The effects of rimonabant 5 mg were of less clinical significance. Rimonabant was generally well tolerated with mild and transient side effects. INTERPRETATION: CB1 blockade with rimonabant 20 mg, combined with a hypocaloric diet over 1 year, promoted significant decrease of bodyweight and waist circumference, and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors. |