Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NASHVILLE, Aug 2, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. scientists say they've determined some weight-loss drugs might present a danger to women of childbearing age.
The study conducted at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., suggests a key chemical affected by the drug rimonabant is needed for embryos to implant normally in the womb, The Times of London reported Wednesday.
Rimonabant apparently affects the level of anandamide, which governs the development and implantation of the embryo. Researchers said even a small variation in the level of anandamide might have disastrous consequences.
A weight-loss pill containing rimonabant -- sold under the brand name Acomplia -- was introduced this summer in Britain as a drug that might help a person lose 10 percent of their weight within a year by interacting with anandamide to reduce appetite, The Times said.
But U.S. government-sponsored research at Vanderbilt, showed the drug might also alter anandamide levels, potentially causing catastrophic effects on embryo development.
The research is detailed in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
