Impact of orlistat-induced weight loss on diastolic function and heart rate variability in severely obese subjects with diabetes

Objective. determine the impact of orlistat-induced weight loss on metabolic profile and cardiovascular function in severely obese patients with type 2 diabetes. methods. twenty-nine patients were randomized either to a nonplacebo control group or to a treatment group with orlistat thrice a day. metabolic profile,anthropometric parameters,heart rate variability indices,and echocardiographic variables were measured before and after a 12-week treatment period. results. treatment with orlistat induced a modest but significant weight loss compared to controls (3.7 ± 3.0 versus 0.5 ± 2.2 kg,resp.; p=.003). there was significant decrease in fasting glycemia (7.9 ± 3.0 versus 6.7 ± 2.2 mmol/l; p=.03) and significant improvements in left ventricular diastolic function (p=.03) and in the sympathovagal balance (lf/hf ratio) (p=.04) in the orlistat group. conclusion. these results suggest that a modest weight loss improves fasting glycemia,left ventricular diastolic function,and sympathovagal balance in severely obese patients with type 2 diabetes. © 2011 julie martin et al.