New Weight loss Drug By Zafgen Pharmaceuticals
Zafgen Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, MA), a company dedicated to the development of novel treatments for obesity, has announced promising results for its first human tests of the weight loss drug ZGN-433.
The drug caused 24 obese women to loss approximately 2 lbs per week for one month. ZGN-433 is a methionine aminopeptidase 2 inhibitor (MetAP2) designed to change the way the body metabolizes fat.
Twenty-four women over the age of 18, with body mass indeces (BMI) between 32-45, were enrolled in the study.
Study on Volunteers and Results
Different dose levels were evaluated to identify which dose could be safely tolerated in obese individuals.
Subjects received either placebo or ZGN-433 intravenously twice weekly for four weeks for a total of eight doses. The volunteers were allowed to eat normally and were not counselled to exercise.
- The 0.9 mg/m2 dose of ZGN-433 was well-tolerated and study volunteers lost on average 2 lbs per week, the maximally recommended rate of safe weight loss.
- Over 26 days, body weight was reduced by 3.1% in obese subjects receiving 0.9 mg of ZGN-433 compared to those who received placebo.
- Study participants also noted a decline in hunger with the 0.9 mg/m2 dose of ZGN-433.
Moreover, a significant reduction in triglyceride levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were observed in volunteers receiving ZGN-433.
Triglycerides are the primary source of fat in the body, and overweight people tend to have much higher triglyceride levels than lean people.
Elevated levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol are also associated with obesity and an increased risk of heart disease.
If the results of 4 weeks of treatment with ZGN-433 were consistent over six to nine months, obese individuals might lose approximately 50 to 70 lbs.
However, the drug has not been tested over longer periods yet, and doctors are unsure of long-term safety risks.
Zafgen reported no side effects with this preliminary study of ZGN-433 safety and efficacy.
New Weight loss Drug by Zafgen vs Other Popular Drugs
Currently available weight loss drugs frequently suffer from undesirable side effects.
Orlistat, the FDA-approved weight loss drug marketed as Alli, causes oily stool leakage, oily stools, stomach pain, and gas. Its also difficult for patients to maintain long-term weight loss once discontinuing treatment.
Obesity Help for Americans
Obesity affects more than 400 million people worldwide, including 72 million Americans.
More than 64 percent of the adult US population is overweight or obese, and the number of obese adults and children continues to rise at an alarming rate.
Obesity increases the risk for a number of health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
- Methods to counteract obesity and prevent major health problems are urgently needed.
- If you’re interested in losing weight, getting your family and friends involved will not only make your lifestyle changes easier but will help those you love in the process.
- There are variety of clinical trials devoted to discovering new methods to help people lose weight.
