Lorcaserin induces abdominal fat loss with associated improvements of the circulating metabolome/lipidome and no changes in the myostatin-activin-follistatin-IGF-1 axes: A 6-month long randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Lorcaserin significantly reduced total body weight compared to placebo over 6 months.

• 48 adults with obesity were randomized to lorcaserin (10 mg twice daily) or placebo in a double-blind trial.
• The time*treatment interaction for total body weight was statistically significant (p = 0.004).
• Changes were analysed using linear mixed models with fixed effects for time, treatment, and interaction.
• The trial duration was 6 months.

Lorcaserin reduced total body fat mass and abdominal fat mass compared to placebo.

• Adjusted delta and endpoint comparisons showed significant reductions in total body fat mass (p = 0.031).
• Abdominal fat mass reduction was statistically significant (p = 0.002).
• Analysis of covariance controlled for baseline body mass index.
• Regional body composition was assessed as part of the outcome measures.

Lorcaserin treatment was associated with favourable changes in the lipidomic profile, primarily reductions in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

• Lipidomic profiles were analysed using principal component and partial least-squares discriminant analyses.
• Treatment primarily resulted in lower levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
• Lipidomic assessments were conducted as part of the circulating metabolome/lipidome evaluation.
• These lipidomic changes are consistent with improved cardiometabolic health.

No significant changes in the myostatin-activin-follistatin-IGF-1 (MAFI) axes components were detected with lorcaserin treatment.

• MAFI axes components were assessed as circulating hormones over the 6-month trial.
• Linear mixed models showed no significant changes in MAFI axes components.
• This finding suggests lorcaserin does not adversely affect muscle-regulating hormonal pathways.
• The lack of MAFI axis changes implies lean mass preservation during treatment.

The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with obesity using lorcaserin as a centrally acting weight loss agent.

• 48 adults with obesity were enrolled and randomized.
• Lorcaserin was administered at 10 mg twice daily.
• The trial lasted 6 months.
• Outcomes included regional body composition, hormones, and lipidomics.
• Lorcaserin acts centrally as a weight loss agent.