Rats receiving the slimming agent oleoyl-estrone in liposomes (Merlin-2) decrease food intake but maintain thermogenesis

• Published in: Archives of physiology and biochemistry Vol. 105; no. 7; p. 663
• Main Authors: Sanchis, D, Balada, F, Picó, C, Grasa, M M, Virgili, J, Farrerons, C, Palou, A, Fernández-López, J A, Remesar, X, Alemany, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1997
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - drug effects; Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Adipose Tissue, Brown - drug effects; Adipose Tissue, Brown - metabolism; Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Obesity Agents - pharmacology; Appetite Depressants - administration & dosage; Appetite Depressants - pharmacology; Body Composition - drug effects; Body Temperature Regulation - drug effects; Drug Carriers; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Eating - drug effects; Estrone - administration & dosage; Estrone - analogs & derivatives; Estrone - pharmacology; Female; Lipolysis - drug effects; Liposomes; Oleic Acids - administration & dosage; Oleic Acids - pharmacology; Oxygen Consumption - drug effects; Proteins - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Weight Loss - drug effects
• ISSN: 1381-3455
• DOI: 10.1076/apab.105.7.663.11391

Oleoyl-estrone given i.v.--incorporated in liposomes to mimic lipoprotein delivery--(Merlin-2) to normal weight rats, induces a dose-dependent weight loss. Analysis of body composition showed that body protein concentration was preserved and fat stores wasted. The respiratory quotient was consistent with the massive oxidation of body fat, since the diet contained practically no lipid. Appetite was affected by Merlin-2, and thus food intake showed a transient decrease. But oxygen consumption (and basal metabolic rates) was kept practically unchanged at the levels of the controls, i.e. higher than needed to oxidize the food ingested during the weight loss period. Brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein levels were proportionally preserved with a 2-week treatment, but it lost a substantial amount of lipid. In conclusion, Merlin-2 is a slimming agent with considerable potential given its powerful fat-wasting action, since it maintains thermogenesis despite lowered energy intake.