Effects of inhibitors of carbohydrate absorption or lipid metabolism on meal patterns of Zucker rats.

Peripherally active anorectic agents represent a new approach to the pharmacological management of obesity. Two inhibitors of carbohydrate absorption: an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose (Bay g 5421) and a alpha-amylase inhibitor, Ro 12-2272, were compared with two novel inhibitors of lipid metabolism: an inhibitor of human pancreatic lipase (Ro 20-0083) and of hepatic fatty acid synthesis (Ro 22-0654). All drugs were presented as diet admixtures over 3 or 4 consecutive days. Total food and water intakes, the temporal pattern of feeding, and the average meal frequency and meal size were measured using computerized data collection procedures. Inhibitors of carbohydrate absorption failed to suppress food intake in either obese or lean Zucker rats and had no effect on the parameters of feeding. In contrast, inhibitors of lipid metabolism reduced food intake by 56-77% by reducing both meal frequency and meal size. Direct inhibition of lipid metabolism may be a viable mechanism for anti-obesity agents.