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Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

NCT number NCT03582722
Other study ID # IRB00099231
Secondary ID R01ES025775
Status Completed
Phase Phase 4
First received
Last updated
Start date September 14, 2018
Est. completion date June 30, 2022

Study information

Verified date March 2024
Source Emory University
Contact n/a
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority
Study type Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will explore whether the use of orlistat results in weight loss that is accompanied by a reduction in the body burdens of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and other Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).


Description:

Millions of people living in Michigan were exposed to brominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyls or PBB) as a result of the largest agricultural disaster in US history. Over the past six years, Emory researchers have tested nearly 900 Michigan residents and determined that 60% still had PBB in their bodies from that disaster. PBB is stored in body fat and the researchers at Emory have been asked by community members if weight loss might reduce their body burdens of PBB and other lipophilic chemicals. In an effort to understand how PBB and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are eliminated, the researchers are conducting a randomized trial of orlistat versus placebo. Orlistat is an over-the-counter product approved by the FDA for weight loss and works by increasing excretion of fat into the stool. Since PBB is stored in body fat, the researchers hypothesize that orlistat may reduce the body burden of PBB and other POPs. This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of orlistat (at the dose available over-the-counter) plus diet and exercise for 6 months in a population with elevated PBB levels. Participants will be healthy overweight adults and orlistat will be taken as directed for the approved indication (weight loss).


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Completed
Enrollment 100
Est. completion date June 30, 2022
Est. primary completion date June 30, 2022
Accepts healthy volunteers No
Gender All
Age group 18 Years and older
Eligibility Inclusion Criteria: - current or recent (within the last five years) serum PBB level of =1ppb, or are a member of a sub-group likely to have high serum PBB (former chemical worker, family member of former chemical worker, lived on a farm with animals that were quarantined because of PBB exposure) - at least 18 years old - currently reside in Michigan - able to participate in examinations and laboratory tests (a lipid panel, liver function test, thyroid function and and creatinine levels) done at at a local health department or other medical health facility and to be able to engage in moderate physical activity (e.g. walking) - participants with undiagnosed abdominal pain or diarrhea, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease, treated diabetes or treated thyroid disorder, will only be eligible following consultation with their primary care provider - any participant using levothyroxine will be instructed to take their dosage 4 hours before or after Orlistat in order to maintain eligibility Exclusion Criteria: - BMI<25 - abnormal liver function - abnormal creatinine levels - abnormal thyroid levels (TSH) - have type 1 diabetes - have had an organ transplant - are pregnant or lactating - current use of weight-loss medications, oral steroids, Coumadin, warfarin or Cyclosporine - have a diagnosed problem absorbing food, or have an eating disorder - a history of bariatric surgery, pancreatitis, kidney stones, gall bladder disorder or a serious chronic disease (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease) - allergies to any ingredients of the Orlistat over-the-counter (OTC) capsules - participants will become ineligible at any point during the study if they begin a medical regimen involving any of the above medications

Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


Intervention

Drug:
Orlistat
Participants will be instructed to take one 60mg capsule of orlistat with each meal containing fat, up to three capsules daily, for six months.
Placebo capsule
Participants will be instructed to take one placebo capsule to match 60mg of orlistat with each meal containing fat, up to three capsules daily, for six months.
Dietary Supplement:
Multivitamin
A multivitamin will be provided to be taken once daily, at bedtime.

Locations

Country Name City State
United States Michele Marcus Atlanta Georgia

Sponsors (4)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
Emory University Healthway Compounding Pharmacy in central Michigan, Michigan Public Health Departments, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Primary Weight Participant weight, in kilograms, was measured in light clothing without shoes on a regularly calibrated digital scale. Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Primary Body Mass Index (BMI) Body Mass Index is a weight-to-height ratio, calculated by dividing one's weight in kilograms by the square of one's height in meters and used as an indicator of obesity and underweight. Participants had their weight measured in light clothing without shoes on a regularly calibrated digital scale. Height is measured using a well-mounted stadiometer. Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) 153 PBB is an organic bromine compound that is environmentally toxic and is classified as a persistent organic pollutant. PBB 153 concentration in serum is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) 47 PBDE is an organic bromine compound that is environmentally toxic and is classified as a persistent organic pollutant. PBDE 47 concentration in serum is measured in ng/mL. Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) 118 PCB is an organic chlorine compound that is environmentally toxic and is classified as a persistent organic pollutant. PCB 118 concentration in serum is measured in ng/mL. Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of PCB 138 PCB is an organic chlorine compound that is environmentally toxic and is classified as a persistent organic pollutant. PCB 138 concentration in serum is measured in ng/mL Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of PCB 153 PCB is an organic chlorine compound that is environmentally toxic and is classified as a persistent organic pollutant. PCB 153 concentration in serum is measured in ng/mL. Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of PCB 180 PCB is an organic chlorine compound that is environmentally toxic and is classified as a persistent organic pollutant. PCB 180 concentration in serum is measured in ng/mL Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6
Secondary Serum Concentration of Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) DDE is a chemical produced by the breakdown of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). High levels of DDE can impact lactation and increase the risk of preterm birth. DDE concentration in serum is measured in ng/mL. Enrollment, Month 3, Month 6