Xenical Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Xenical, including details on orlistat, side-effects, obesity, weight loss, dieting.

Role of Free Fatty Acids in Regulating Gastric Emptying and Gallbladder Contraction.

Degen L, Matzinger D, Drewe J, Nisslé S, Maecke H, Lengsfeld H, Hadvary P, Beglinger C

Department of Research and Clinical Research Centre, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.

The limited effectiveness of orlistat, an inhibitor of gastrointestinal lipases, in inhibiting fat digestion is not completely understood. Therefore we studied the effect of orally and duodenally administered orlistat on gastric emptying, cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion, and gallbladder contraction. In healthy males, gastric emptying of solids and fat were quantified scintigraphically, gallbladder contraction by ultrasound and CCK release by radioimmunoassay. Three studies were performed: (1) oral and (2) duodenal orlistat with a fat-containing meal, and (3) duodenal orlistat with a fat-free meal. Gastric emptying rates of solids and fat (T(50%) accelerated by 16 and by 22%, p< 0.05, respectively) were significantly faster after duodenal perfusion of orlistat; gallbladder contraction and CCK release were reduced under these conditions (p < 0.005, respectively). With oral orlistat no significant effect was documented on these parameters. We conclude that fat hydrolysis is essential in the regulation of fat-induced gastric emptying and gallbladder contraction. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Published 15 January 2007 in Digestion, 74(3): 131-139.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Xenical Research Today. All Rights Reserved.