The therapeutic potential of cholecystokinin.

A review of the satiating effect of cholecystokinin in humans reveals that the synthetic C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) inhibits liquid and solid food intake in non-obese men and women, and in obese men. Side effects, such as nausea, slight stomach sickness or abdominal cramps are infrequent and transient, and they are neither necessary nor sufficient for the inhibition of intake. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the satiating effect of CCK-8 in humans. The therapeutic potential of CCK-8 cannot be estimated until further studies are performed that demonstrate the efficacy of CCK-8 for decreasing body weight and that the safety of CCK-8 when it is administered repetitively for prolonged periods is established.