Abstract:
Aim: This study investigate the impact of Orlistat (ORL), an anti-obesity drug, on nitrosative stress and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) enzyme activity in serum, heart, kidney, and testicular tissues of rats with experimentally induced obesity.
Method: 24 Wistar albino rats were allocated into 3 groups as control (C), diet (D) and diet+ORL. A high fat diet used for 8 weeks to develop obesity. Thereafter, ORL given for 6 weeks (10 mg/kg/day; po). During the study, the rats' weight was monitored weekly, and their serum, heart, kidney and testis tissues were analyzed for measurement of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta levels in the serum, determination of nitric oxide, nitrotyrosine level and paraoxonase-1 enzyme activity, urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase activities in the serum and also testosterone level.
Results: Body weight was lower in the orlistat group compared to the obese group (p<0.05). According to biochemical analyses, obese group increased in TNF-alpha; nitric oxide level in serum, heart, kidney; nitrotyrosine level in serum, kidney and testis tissue compared to control group (p<0.05). Orlistat group decreased in TNF-alpha and IL-1beta; nitric oxide level in serum, heart, kidney; nitrotyrosine level in all tissues; urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase levels compared to obese group (p<0.05). However; orlistat group increased in paraoxonase-1 enzyme activity in heart, kidney and testis tissues compared to obese group (p<0.05). Lastly, orlistat group decreased in urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase levels compared to control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with orlistat resulted in a reduction of inflammatory activity and an enhancement of antioxidant PON-1 enzyme activity, indicating a defensive response against the heightened nitrosative stress associated with obesity. Therefore, it is crucial to consider its systemic effects when employing orlistat as a therapeutic intervention.
1. In addition to its weight-reducing effect,
- orlistat has been shown to have a protective effect on nitrosative stress in the heart, kidneys, testes, and serum.
- Furthermore, it has been found to enhance the activity of paraoxonase-1, an antioxidant enzyme.
2. When evaluating the decrease in kidney and cardiac enzyme values in orlistat compared to the control group, it can be associated with the side effects of orlistat usage.
- Therefore, individuals using orlistat should be assessed clinically for kidney function and cardiac enzymes.
- Further clinical studies are needed in this field to clarify the side effects observed in our study related to orlistat usage.
- It is important to provide detailed education on the use and side effects of anti-obesity drugs in both clinical and basic sciences within medical faculties.
