Does aminophylline cream reduce BMI?

I’ll present the details and let nurse Sandy Szwarc from Junkfood Science provide analysis.

First, the details.

• 50 adults with a BMI greater than 27 kg/m2 and a waist to hip ratio at least average were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups.
• Apply 0.5% aminophylline cream to the waist twice a day.
• No treatment to the waist.
• Everyone followed a 1200 kcal balanced diet, participate in a walking, and returned biweekly to encourage compliance.

And, the results.

• The reduction in waist circumference was 11 cm in the aminophylline cream group and 5 cm in the control group — a significant difference.
• The reduction in waist circumference was significant for both women and men, but the women lost significantly more waist girth.
• The waist to hip ratio, a measure of fat distribution, declined.
• Aminophylline blood levels were undetectable, and there were no adverse events.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Aminophylline cream offers a safe and effective method for cosmetic local fat reduction from the waist.”

Medscape is impressed, but Ms Szwarc thinks otherwise. You’ll want to read her analysis of the study design and results, and the undisclosed conflicts of interest by the researchers.

8/39/08 20:32 JR