薬理と治療

Abstract

Background The effects of licorice flavonoid oil（LFO）at a daily oral dose of 300 mg for 12 weeks on body weight, body mass index（BMI）, and body fat mass in overweight subjects were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study as reported by Tominaga et al in 2006. Stratified analysis was performed on the same subjects to determine whether there is a difference in the effects of LFO between healthy and obese subjects. Methods Subjects classified as healthy had a BMI of 24-30 and visceral fat area smaller than 100 cm2, while obese subjects had a BMI of 24-30 and visceral fat area larger than 100 cm2, according to the criteria for obesity defined by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. Next, stratified analysis was performed according to the presence or absence of obesity, calculating statistical significance of the effect of LFO on body weight, BMI, and body fat mass. Results Visceral fat areas in obese subjects were 1.43-1.49-fold higher than in healthy subjects, while body weight, BMI, and body fat mass in obese subjects were 1.05-1.19-fold higher than in healthy subjects. In healthy subjects, changes from baseline in body weight and BMI, as well as body fat mass in the LFO group, were significantly different or tended to decrease compared to those in the control group, while little or no effects of LFO on these parameters were observed in obese subjects. Conclusions LFO had more evident suppressive effects on body weight, BMI and body fat mass in healthy subjects than in obese subjects.