Modulating lipolysis for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications

Abstract

The first study was conducted to determine if aminophylline cream application to the waist will reduce waist circumference compared to a control. Topical fat reduction from the thigh in women has been demonstrated, but local fat reduction in other areas or in men has not. Fifty men and women were randomized to 0.5% aminophylline cream to the waist twice a day or to no treatment to the waist. At week 12 there was a significant reduction in BMI from baseline that was not different between the groups. The reduction in waist circumference was 11 ± 1.0 cm in the aminophylline cream group and 5.0 ± 0.6 cm in the control group (p<0.001). The reduction in waist circumference was significant for both sexes, but women lost significantly more waist girth. The waist-to-hip ratio declined, aminophylline levels were undetectable, and there were no adverse events. The second study developed a cost-effective method of breast measurement that will allow our research team to test the concept of fat redistribution. Breast volume measurements were compared using the Grossman-Roudner cone, plaster casting, and MRI. Five women with breast sizes AA, A, B, C, and D had three volume measures repeated three times. For a single volume measurement, the costs were: $1 for the Grossman-Roudner cone, $20 for the cast, and $1,400 for the MRI. The relative cost for volume measurements using the cast was 64-189 times greater, and using the MRI was 373-33,500 greater than the cost of the Grossman-Roudner cone. The final study used a human fat cell assay to determine the capacity of currently used mesotherapy solutions to stimulate lipolysis and to determine the effect of combining a local anesthetic to the solutions. The fold induction of the mesotherapy solutions measured by glycerol generation was used to determine their capacity to stimulate lipolysis. Isoproterenol (p<0.002), aminophylline (p<0.00004), and yohimbine (p<0.001) stimulated lipolysis compared to the buffer. The lipolysis stimulated by melilotus and isoproterenol was enhanced by aminophylline (p<0.001). Lidocaine inhibited lipolysis when added to aminophylline and isoproterenol (NS compared to buffer), and when added to aminophylline, isoproterenol, and yohimbine (p<0.05 compared to control).