Document Detail


Refsum's Disease-Use of the Intestinal Lipase Inhibitor, Orlistat, as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to a Complex Disorder.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20871815     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Refsum's Disease is an inherited metabolic disorder in which a metabolite of branched chain fatty acids accumulates due to lack of appropriate oxidative enzymes. Patients have elevated plasma phytanic acid levels and high concentrations of phytanic acid in a variety of tissues leading to progressive tissue damage. Besides retinal degeneration or retinal dystrophy associated with adult onset retinitis pigmentosa, additional symptoms include chronic polyneuropathy, cerebellar ataxia, sensorineural hearing loss, anosmia, ichthyosis, as well as skeletal, cardiac, hepatic, and renal abnormalities. Current management includes avoidance of dietary sources of branched chain fatty acids and regular plasmapheresis to prevent accumulation of these compounds to ameliorate progressive neurological deficits. Two brothers with Refsum's disease who experienced progressive symptoms despite optimal diet and plasmapheresis were commenced on a novel therapy. We report the effect of the intestinal lipase inhibitor, Orlistat, which led to significant reduction (P-value <0.001 on 2-sample unpaired t-test) of mean preplasmapheresis phytanic acid levels with retardation of the progression of most of their dermatological and neurological symptoms.
Authors:
Nimalie J Perera; Barry Lewis; Huy Tran; Michael Fietz; David R Sullivan
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-09-01
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of obesity (Online)     Volume:  2011     ISSN:  2090-0716     ISO Abbreviation:  J Obes     Publication Date:  2011  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-09-27     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101526295     Medline TA:  J Obes     Country:  Egypt    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
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