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Effect of hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine treatment on hormonal and metabolic features in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, 24-week study

International Journal of Obesity volume 32, pages 692–699 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To examine the effect of hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine on body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters in overweight and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design:

Open-label, randomized study at an outpatient clinic.

Patients:

A total of 59 overweight and obese (18–39 years old) women with PCOS.

Measurements:

All patients were placed in a hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine (10 mg per day) for the first month and then on a hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine (10 mg per day, group S) or hypocaloric diet only (group D) for the subsequent 6 months. Body composition, hormonal and metabolic features and insulin sensitivity (oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months of treatment.

Results:

Body weight reduced in both groups but the reduction was greater with sibutramine (−15.4±1.1 vs –11.1±1.9% in groups S and D, respectively, P<0.05). At 6 months, a greater percent of patients lost more than 10% of initial body weight in group S than D (81 vs 52.9%). In both groups, all women with abnormal OGTT at baseline presented normal glucose tolerance after 6 months. Free androgen index (FAI), glucose area under the curve and fasting triglyceride (TG) concentration were reduced after 6 months in group S only (P<0.05). No changes in cardiovascular risk factors, prolactin and hepatic enzymes levels were observed in both groups.

Conclusion:

A hypocaloric diet and a diet plus sibutramine both result in significant weight loss in overweight and obese women with PCOS. Patients who received sibutramine showed a greater weight loss and improvement in hyperandrogenemia and insulin sensitivity after 6 months of treatment. The amelioration of insulin resistance in this group could not be totally explained by weight loss. Total testosterone, FAI and TG levels reduction could be a possible mechanism. Finally, sibutramine increased compliance to diet and it was well tolerated from these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology and Human Reproduction, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    D Florakis, I Katsikis, A Karkanaki & D Panidis

  2. First Department of Medicine, Endocrine Section, Medical School, Laiko Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    E Diamanti-Kandarakis

  3. Department of Sports Medicine and Biology of Physical Activity, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    G P Nassis

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Patras Medical School, Patra, Greece

    N Georgopoulos

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  1. D Florakis
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Correspondence to D Florakis.

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Florakis, D., Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Katsikis, I. et al. Effect of hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine treatment on hormonal and metabolic features in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, 24-week study. Int J Obes 32, 692–699 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803777

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