Weight Loss in Response to Sibutramine (MERIDIA) is Influenced by the Inherited Genes

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. In a previous study of 48 overweight or obese participants, we preliminarily observed that variation in the gene for the promoter of the serotonin transporter protein was significantly associated with degree of weight loss. This new single center clinical study aims to evaluate the effects of the FDA-approved appetite suppressing medication, sibutramine (MERIDIA)on weight loss and stomach emptying in patients who are overweight or obese. The effect of individual differences in inherited genes that modify serrotonin and noradrenergic receptors on weight reduction with sibutramine will be tested.