orlistat brands

Molecular formula: C29H53NO5

Orlistat is a potent and selective inhibitor of various lipase enzymes responsible for the metabolism of fat. It acts in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract via covalent binding to the serine residues located on the active site of both gastric and pancreatic lipase. When orlistat is taken with food containing fat, it partially inhibits the hydrolysis of triglycerides. This decreases absorption of monoaclglycerides and free fatty acids, contributing to weight maintenance and weight loss. Orlistat is a reversible inhibitor of lipases. It exerts its therapeutic activity in the lumen of the stomach and small intestine by forming a covalent bond with the active serine residue site of gastric and pancreatic lipases. The inactivated enzymes are thus unavailable to hydrolyze dietary fat in the form of triglycerides into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides. As undigested triglycerides are not absorbed, the resulting caloric deficit may have a positive effect on weight control. Systemic absorption of the drug is therefore not needed for activity. At the recommended therapeutic dose ... orlistat inhibits dietary fat absorption by approximately 30%. Orlistat, a reversible inhibitor of gastric and pancreatic lipases, exhibits antiobesity and antilipemic activity. The drug also inhibits certain other (e.g., microbial, carboxylester [for hydrolysis of vitamin esters]) lipases. Orlistat is a synthetic derivative of naturally occurring lipstatin. Unlike most other currently available antiobesity agents, orlistat does not exert anorexigenic (appetite suppressant) effects. Instead, orlistat exerts its antiobesity effect by decreasing the absorption of dietary fats (triacylglycerols) in the intestinal lumen via inhibition of triglyceride hydrolysis; at recommended dosages, approximately one-third of dietary fat will not be absorbed. By preventing triglyceride hydrolysis, the drug decreases intestinal concentrations of absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides. Orlistat, an antiobesity drug, is cytostatic and cytotoxic to tumor cells. The antitumor activity of orlistat can be attributed to its ability to inhibit the thioesterase domain of fatty acid synthase (FAS). The objective of the present study was to test the effect of orlistat on endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Orlistat inhibits endothelial cell FAS, blocks the synthesis of fatty acids, and prevents endothelial cell proliferation. More significantly, orlistat inhibits human neovascularization in an ex vivo assay, which suggests that it may be useful as an antiangiogenic drug. The mechanism of these effects can be traced to the fact that orlistat prevents the display of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR2/KDR/Flk1) on the endothelial cell surface. Thus, orlistat is an antiangiogenic agent with a novel mechanism of action.

Source: PubChem (NCBI) · compound 3034010