The effect of leptin, caffeine/ephedrine, and their combination upon visceral fat mass and weight loss

Objective To evaluate the effects of combination caffeine/ephedrine and leptin A-200 on visceral fat mass and weight loss over 24 weeks. Design and Methods In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm trial, 90 obese subjects received one of the three treatments for 24 weeks: 200 mg caffeine/20 mg ephedrine t.i.d. (CE), leptin A-200 (recombinant methionyl human Fc-leptin, 20 mg q.d.) (L), or combination leptin A-200 and caffeine/ephedrine (LCE). Outcomes included change in weight, visceral fat mass by computed tomography, lean mass and fat mass by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results Groups treated with CE and LCE lost significant amounts of weight (−5.9 ± 1.2% and −6.5 ± 1.1%, P < 0.05) and whole body fat mass (−9.6 ± 2.4% and −12.4 ± 2.3%, P < 0.05) compared to leptin only group. Only treatment with LCE significantly reduced visceral fat mass (−11.0 ± 3.3%, P < 0.05). There were no differences in lean mass between treatment groups. Conclusions Our study provides evidence that CE is a modestly effective weight loss agent and produces significant reductions in fat mass. Leptin A-200 was not effective in producing weight loss and did not have any significant additive or synergistic actions when combined with CE.