Pharmacodynamic Effects of Sibutramine on Gastric Function in Obesity

Control of food intake, size and frequency of meals are critical to the development of obesity. The stomach signals feelings of fullness after a meal and therefore plays a role in control of calorie intake. It is unclear whether the approved appetite reducing drug sibutramine changes the function of the stomach. Differences in the way individuals respond to treatment with the appetite suppressant sibutramine may also explain why some people lose weight while others do not. This single center clinical study aims to compare functions of the stomach in healthy, overweight and obese individuals, and to evaluate the effects of the FDA-approved appetite suppressing medication sibutramine on weight loss and stomach functions in patients who are overweight or obese. The effect of individual differences in inherited genes on weight reduction with sibutramine will be tested.