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  • Original Article
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Oxyntomodulin increases energy expenditure in addition to decreasing energy intake in overweight and obese humans: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background:

Oxyntomodulin has recently been found to decrease body-weight in obese humans and may be a potential anti-obesity therapy.

Objective:

To determine whether oxyntomodulin alters energy expenditure, in addition to reducing energy intake, in ‘free-living’ overweight and obese volunteers.

Design:

Randomized double-blind controlled cross-over trial.

Setting:

Community and hospital-based.

Participants:

Fifteen healthy overweight and obese men and women (age: 23–49 years, BMI: 25.1–39.0 kg/m2). All volunteers completed the study protocol.

Interventions:

Four-day subcutaneous self-administration of pre-prandial oxyntomodulin, three times daily. Participants were advised to maintain their normal dietary and exercise regimen.

Measurements:

(1) Energy expenditure, measured by indirect calorimetry and combined heart rate and movement monitoring; (2) energy intake, measured during a study meal.

Results:

Oxyntomodulin administration reduced energy intake at the study meal by 128±29 kcal (P=0.0006) or 17.3±5.5% (P=0.0071), with no change in meal palatability. Oxyntomodulin did not alter resting energy expenditure; but increased activity-related energy expenditure by 143±109 kcal/day or 26.2±9.9% (P=0.0221); total energy expenditure by 9.4±4.8% (P=0.0454) and physical activity level by 9.5±4.6% (P=0.0495). A reduction in body weight of 0.5±0.2% was observed during the oxyntomodulin administration period (P=0.0232).

Conclusion:

Oxyntomodulin increases energy expenditure while reducing energy intake resulting in negative energy balance. This data supports the role of oxyntomodulin as a potential anti-obesity therapy.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the volunteers for their invaluable help with the study. KW and AJP are supported by grants from the Wellcome Trust. The project was funded by grants from the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council. The funding sponsors had no role in the design and conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; or in the preparation, review, and approval of the manuscript.

KW, AJP, CJS, KM, MAG, and GSF have no competing interests. The use of oxyntomodulin for the treatment of obesity is the subject of two patent pending applications (WO 2003/022304 and WO 2004/06285) in the name of Imperial College Innovations, exclusively licensed to Thiakis Limited, of which SRB is a Director.

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Correspondence to S R Bloom.

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Wynne, K., Park, A., Small, C. et al. Oxyntomodulin increases energy expenditure in addition to decreasing energy intake in overweight and obese humans: a randomised controlled trial. Int J Obes 30, 1729–1736 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803344

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