Effect of a tricyclic antidepressant and opiate antagonist on binge-eating behavior in normoweight bulimic and obese, binge-eating subjects

Article Abstract:

Bulimia is an eating disorder that is characterized by binge eating followed by purging, or vomiting. It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the women in the United States experience at least one period of bulimia by their senior year in college. Also, previous studies have shown that 25 to 30 percent of obese people experience periods of compulsive binge eating as often as twice a week. In recent years, research has focused on the psychological, neurological and hormonal factors controlling eating behavior. Studies performed in laboratory rats have shown that opiates increase eating behavior and drugs that block the effect of opiates (opiate antagonists) reduce the rate of eating and the time spent eating. Studies in humans have shown that both opiate antagonists and drugs used to treat depression called tricyclic antidepressants decrease binge eating in normal-weight people with bulimia. To investigate the effects of these drugs on binge eating behavior, 33 obese bingers and 22 bulimics were treated with either naltrexone (an opiate antagonist), imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) or placebo for a period of eight weeks. Treatment with imipramine decreased the duration of binge eating in obese bingers, while naltrexone decreased the duration of binge eating in those with bulimia. None of the treatments were associated with a decrease in weight during the treatment period. It is concluded that obese bingers and bulimics may have similar alterations in their brain chemistry that cause their eating disorders, and that imipramine and naltrexone may be beneficial for treating binge eating. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Drug therapy, Bulimia, Compulsive eating, Binge eating disorder, Obesity, Naltrexone, Imipramine

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Sequence of changes in body composition induced by testosterone and reversal of changes after drug is stopped

Article Abstract:

Large doses of testosterone can increase lean body mass substantially and this effect may persist months after the hormone is discontinued. Seven healthy men, all non-athletes, were given intramuscular injections of 0.75 milligrams (mg) of testosterone enanthate per kilogram (kg) of body weight every day for four days. Then they received 3 mg per kg each week for 12 weeks. The average total dose was 42 mg per kg. Their weight and lean body mass (LBM) were monitored. Body fat was determined by subtracting LBM from body weight. At the end of 12 weeks, weight increased an average of 5%, LBM increased an average of 12% and body fat decreased an average of 27%. When testosterone injections were discontinued, LBM gradually declined, but was still above baseline five to six months after the end of treatment.

Body composition, Testosterone

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