Colestilan, a new bile acid-sequestering resin, reduces bodyweight in postmenopausal women who have dieted unsuccessfully.

OBJECTIVE: Bile acid-sequestering resins are known to be potent hypocholesterolaemic drugs, and a feeling of abdominal fullness has been reported as the most frequent adverse effect associated with their use. However, this unique adverse effect of colestilan, abdominal fullness, may have the potential to reduce total food intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of colestilan, a new bile acid-sequestering resin, on the bodyweight of postmenopausal women who had previously dieted unsuccessfully. METHODS: Forty postmenopausal women who failed to diet successfully over a 4-week period were enrolled in this randomised, open-label, controlled study. Subjects were randomised to two groups: the colestilan group received four colestilan tablets administered in divided doses with three glasses of water before dinner and bedtime for 12 weeks; the control group received three glasses of water before dinner and bedtime for 12 weeks. All patients were monitored and were given the same diet instructions. RESULTS: Twelve weeks' administration of colestilan in addition to diet instruction significantly reduced bodyweight and body mass index from 62.9 +/- 5.7kg to 58.0 +/- 5.4kg (mean +/- SD) and from 26.1 +/- 2.0 kg/m2 to 23.9 +/- 2.0 kg/m2, respectively. There were no significant differences in bodyweight before and after 12 weeks of treatment in the control group. CONCLUSION: Colestilan may be useful for appetite control and exerts anti-obesity effects when used in conjunction with a weight-management programme.

Efficacy of the herbal medicine Unkei-to as an adjunctive treatment to hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women with depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improves menopausal depressive symptoms, women unresponsive to HRT need an antidepressant drug as an effective adjunctive therapy. The aim of this study was to assess whether the herbal medicine Unkei-to has an impact on HRT-resistant menopausal depressive symptoms as an effective adjunctive therapy combined with HRT. METHODS: Twenty-four HRT-resistant menopausal depressive women were randomly assigned to group 1 (n = 12) or group 2 (n = 12). Subjects in group 1 were accessioned into 6 months of open treatment with Unkei-to as an adjunctive therapy and changed to Toki-shakuyaku-san for 6 months following a 1-month washout period. Group 2 started with Toki-shakuyaku-san for 6 months and then changed to Unkei-to for 6 months following a 1-month washout period. RESULTS: Three months' treatment with Unkei-to as an adjunctive therapy significantly improved Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) scores, State-Anxiety (STAI-1) scores, and Trait-Anxiety (STAI-2) scores noted before treatment, and this effect continued at 6 months. Treatment with Unkei-to was also significantly effective in reduction of ZSDS scores, STAI-1 scores, and STAI-2 scores at 3 months compared with Toki-shakuyaku-san treatment, and this effect continued at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unkei-to is another option as an adjunctive herbal therapy in HRT-resistant menopausal depressive women.