Method of Reducing Weight in Mammals

The invention is concerned with weight reduction in mammals utilizing ion exchange resins.

A number of references have discussed cholestyramine for various therapeutic purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,501 teaches the use of a pharmaceutical composition for oral usage endowed with sequestering activity for the biliary acids containing cholestyramine as its active principle further containing at least one anti-microbial agent, one suspending agent and one coating agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,288 teaches a drug delivery system designed to be chewed or swallowed comprising cholestyramine, a hydrophobic matrix containing an emulsifier and an edible material, a glyceride and a coating material effective to delay hydration until ingested. The coating material forms a protective barrier effective to prevent the unpleasant taste perception for the cholestyramine material.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,991 teaches an ingestible aggregate containing a dietary fiber and a drug that is an anti-cholesterol agent such as cholestyramine.

European patent application No. 332,600 teaches a combination of cholestyramine and sorbic acid. European patent application 320,519 teaches the use of corn syrup or sucrose syrup to assist in eliminating the fishy odor of cholestyramine.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,255 teaches the use of an improved taste when aspartame is used as a sweetener.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,923 teaches the use of a resin such as cholestyramine as being incorporated in beverages.

Chewable delivery systems for cholestyramine are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,676.

None of the references teach a method of decreasing the weight in mammals by the use of an effective weight reducing amount of cholestyramine, particularly when combined with bulking agents and/or artificial sweetening agents and flavors.

Described is a method of decreasing the weight in mammals to a desired amount comprising the steps of ingesting an effective weight reducing amount of a cholestyramine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or mixture thereof for a desired period of time to achieve a desired weight reduction. Compositions useful for reducing weight in patients contain cholestyramine, bran, and optionally, artificial sweeteners and flavors.

The need for man to achieve desirable weight levels can be affected by utilizing appropriate weight reduction compositions. It has been found that the use of cholestyramine as a weight reducing agent in mammals is an effective material. The program for effecting the weight reduction is to utilize a cholestyramine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or mixture thereof, preferably in conjunction with palatable materials for a fixed period of time or to achieve the desired weight reduction.

The most preferred cholestyramine is Questran brand (trademark of Mead Johnson for a synthetic anion exchange polymer in which quaternary ammonium groups are attached to a copolymer of styrene and divinyl benzene). The main constituent of Questran is polystyrene trimethyl benzylammonium as Cl anion. Particle size ranges from 50-100 U.S. mesh.

A program that has achieved measurable success is to prepare compositions as described below:

4 grams (1 1/2 measured teaspoons) of powdered wheat bran (0 calories);

4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine (0 calories);

2 grams (2 packets of) Equal brand of Nutrasweet artificial sweetener (4 calories per packet =8 calories);

1 packet of Equal =0.035 gm. (3% of packet by weight) of aspartame plus dextrose and maltodextrin powder as a bulking agent; 0.0965 gm. (96.5% of packet by weight) of powder total added to produce 1 gram/packet including bulking agent powder and aspartame;

0.5 grams (1/9 pkg.)--(2/8 calories) of Kool-aid.RTM. brand powder drink mix without sugar;

2 cups (520 grams) of cold water and crushed ice mixed; or

1/2 pkg. of strawberry flavored Alba.RTM. powdered drink mix (35 calories and 10 grams);

2 cups of 2% low-fat milk (approximately 125 calories/cup and 555 grams);

One or the other of the above two drinks is stirred frequently while being ingested and a drink is taken at least two times a day (three doses) if one large meal is eaten (either 2 doses just before the meal or 1 dose just before and 1 dose just after or 2 doses just after the meal) and up to three times a day (maximum of five doses per day) if needed to allay hunger and/or if two large meals per day are taken.

The most preferred composition utilizing cholestyramine is as follows, with (A) denoting Kool-Aid.RTM. brand (unsweetened) and (B) denoting Alba.RTM. brand (powdered strawberry shake mix) +2% low-fat milk solids:

While applicant does not wish to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the use of cholestyramine as a weight reduction agent in mammals, such as humans, is that the patient is satisfied with food sooner. One feels full due to the ingestion of the fluid containing the cholestyramine, and therefore, one would eat slowly and ingest a smaller quantity of food. Secondly, it is believed that the use of cholestyramine inhibits fat from foods from being absorbed. Therefore, there is a partial fat malabsorption. In addition, there is a sedative effect, namely that the patient has been found to sleep more soundly due to the utilization of cholestyramine and this improved sleep reduces hunger as well as reducing total food intake.

Finally, the prevention of bile acid resorption creates a metabolic inefficiency whereby the body utilizes energy to replace some of the cholesterol lost to bile acid binding (failed resorption of bile acids), i.e., the energy required for synthesis of a portion of the cholesterol lost to bile acid binding effect. The calories required to resynthesize a portion of those cholesterol molecules lost to bile acid binding would be like the calories which are used up when one exercises vigorously in calculating calorie balance and expected weight change.

The period of time that one wishes to utilize cholestyramine containing materials in a weight reduction program is dependent upon the amount of weight reduction that is desired. Generally, the regimen for taking cholestyramine containing materials is on a daily basis. The length of time would be minimally one week with longer periods of six months to a year depending upon the need for weight reduction.

Having described the invention above, listed below are preferred embodiments wherein all parts are parts by weight and all temperatures are degrees Centigrade unless otherwise indicated.

Utilizing the program outlined above and the cholestyramine containing compositions, several patients were placed on the cholestyramine regimen as follows.

Patient number one is a male caucasian approximately 50 years in age. The regimen was followed for approximately 6 months where the initial weight was 268 pounds and after the 6 month period, the weight of the individual was 218 pounds.

A second patient was a caucasian female 20 years in age which utilized the regimen outlined above for two weeks. The initial weight was 270 pounds and the final weight was 255 pounds with a weight reduction of approximately 15 pounds.

A third patient was a 13 year old female caucasian. The regimen followed above resulted in a loss of 22 pounds over a three week period of time; the initial weight was 205 pounds and the final weight was 183 pounds.

While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to mention all of the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

For example, the following drugs may be used in conjunction with the above program, e.g., Chronulac, trademark of G.D. Searle for lactulose, Lorelco, trademark of Dow for probucol, and the like.