Meta-analysis of studies on body weight and cholesterol reduction using the chitosan derivative polyglucosamine L112

Abstract

Background: In the Cochrane Database review of 2008 the statement about the relationship between chitosan and body weight (BW) was "Results obtained from high quality trials indicate that the effect of chitosan on body weight is minimal and unlikely to be of clinical significance". However, the chitosan family consists of polymers with different chemico-physical characteristics and activity.Method: Analysis of the literature through PUBMED and EMBASE from 2006 to 2018 concerning controlled clinical trials conducted with a standardized chitosan (polyglucosamine L112 or PG) with MW between 100 and 300 KDa with a deacetylation degree (DD) > 90 %. Eight articles have been found where PG was compared with a placebo or other treatments to control BW, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and four of these were also controlling the total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Results:The analysis of the 8 articles indicated that: a) at the average dose of 1.7g/day the average BW reduction was 1.44 kg/month; b) the treatment duration was between 2 and 12 months; c) results were achieved in a shorter period of time when the caloric restriction and physical activity were part of the protocol. TC and TG reductions were studied in 4 of the 8 trials showing an average reduction of 9.6 % and 15.3 % respectively. Side effects were detected in about 1 % of the cases. Conclusion:PG revealed a safe and clinically significant reduction in BW, TC and TG levels compared to placebo or other treatments. Caloric restriction and physical activity accelerate the PG effect.

Chitosan as an Underrated Polymer in Modern Tissue Engineering

“…In addition, he proved that increasing MW and tap density of chitosan could significantly increase fat-binding ability. In turn, Gallaher [99] described the increasing fecal excretion of bile acids as a mechanism of cholesterol reduction. He has also shown greatly increased (approximately three-fold) fecal bile acid excretion in rats fed diets containing 7.5% chitosan.…”