d-Fenfluramine selectively suppresses carbohydrate snacking by obese subjects

Abstract

Twenty obese inpatients who claimed to crave carbohydrate-rich foods were given d-fenfluramine f 15 mg P.o., twice daily) or its placebo, double-blind, for two consecutive eight-day periods. Food choices were measured on treatment days 1, 7, and 8 by giving the subjects access to unlimited portions of six isocaloric meal foods (three high in carbohydrate and three high in protein) and of 10 isocaloric snack foods (five high in protein and five high in carbohydrate) available 24 hours a day in a computerized vending machine. d-fenfluramine reduced mealtime calorie intake by only 16% (from 1940 ? 94 to 1630 & 92; p < .OO 1), mealtime carbohydrate by 22%, and had no significant effect on mealtime protein consumption; in contrast, snack calorie intake was reduced by 4 1 % (from 707 2 97 to 4 14 * 46; p < .OO I ) , and snack carbohydrate intake by the same proportion. The mean number of carbohydrate-rich snacks consumed per day decreased from 5.8 & 0.8 to 3.4 & 0.4 (p < .O I), while that of protein-rich snacks failed to change significantly (i.e., from 0.7 2 0.2 to 0.5 2 0.2).

Dexfenfluramine, Fluoxetine, and Weight Loss Among Female Carbohydrate Cravers

“…Administration of FL or DF to animals given access to isoenergetic diets diff ering in protein and CHO contents decreased the consumption of onl y the high CHO diet (Cangiano et al 1992;Hill and Blun dell 1986;Luo and Li 1991;Wurtman and Wurtman 1979). Similarly, DF administration to CHO cravers (Wurtman et al 1985;Wurtman et al 1987), women with Late Luteal Dysphoric Syndrome (Brzezinski et al 1990), and individuals going through smoking with drawal selectively suppressed CHO but not protein in take. Although measured subjectively, the decreased appetite for CHO-rich foods previously reported by sub jects treated with FL provides additional evidence of the participation of serotonin in controlling CHO in take (Ferguson and Feighner 1987).…”

“…These results suggest that weight loss following treatment with serotoninergic drugs may relate to a selective decrease in CRO appetite. [Neuropsychopharmacology 9:201-210, 1993] brain neurotransrnission by blocking brain serotonin reuptake; OF through its metabolite, nordexfenflura mine, also releases serotonin into synapses.It has been suggested that the weight loss produced by these drugs may be related to their effect in spe ciftcally decreasing the excessive intake of CHO-rich foods (Wurtman et al 1985;Ferguson and Feighner 1987). Because such foods are usually rich in fat, reduc ing CHO intake can account for a substantial reduction in total calorie intake (Wurtman et al 1985;Ferguson and Feighner 1987).…”

“…It has been suggested that the weight loss produced by these drugs may be related to their effect in spe ciftcally decreasing the excessive intake of CHO-rich foods (Wurtman et al 1985;Ferguson and Feighner 1987). Because such foods are usually rich in fat, reduc ing CHO intake can account for a substantial reduction in total calorie intake (Wurtman et al 1985;Ferguson and Feighner 1987).…”

“…Because such foods are usually rich in fat, reduc ing CHO intake can account for a substantial reduction in total calorie intake (Wurtman et al 1985;Ferguson and Feighner 1987). …”

“…Because such foods are usually rich in fat, reduc ing CHO intake can account for a substantial reduction in total calorie intake (Wurtman et al 1985;Ferguson and Feighner 1987). Brain serotonin appears to influ ence CHO consumption; evidence from studies in which animals or human volunteers were treated with dietary or pharmacologic interventions that increase serotonin-mediated neurotransrnission indicates selec tive decreases in consumption of CHO-rich foods (Blun dell 1992; Leibowitz and Shor-Posner 1987;Luo and Li 1991;Wurtman et al 1983;Wurtman and Wurtman 1979).…”