Selective inhibitors of
biogenic amine (e.g.,
serotonin,
norepinephrine, and
dopamine) uptake exhibit varying degrees of safety and efficacy as
antiobesity agents. Moreover, preclinical findings suggest that the combined inhibition of monoamine
neurotransmitter transporters synergistically enhances antiobesity activity. (1R,5S)-(+)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo-[3.1.0]
hexane hydrochloride (
DOV 21947) inhibits
norepinephrine,
5-hydroxytryptamine, and
dopamine uptake, and it reduces
body weight in rodent models of diet-induced
obesity (DIO). DIO rats treated orally with
DOV 21947 for 1 to 24 days showed significantly lower
body weights than vehicle-treated DIO rats. The decrease in
body weight resulted specifically from a loss of retroperitoneal and mesenteric depots of white adipose tissue.
DOV 21947 also reduced daily food intake in DIO rats, but consumption returned to control levels after 11 days of treatment. With the exception of a decrease in
triglyceride levels, blood chemistry was unaltered after 24 days of
DOV 21947 treatments.
DOV 21947 had no effect on motor activity. Although
DOV 21947 increased respiratory rate and decreased the tidal volume of normal rats, it did not alter the minute volume. In addition,
DOV 21947 did not significantly affect blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiographic indices or body temperature in telemeterized dogs. However, it caused a sustained, but reversible reduction in the rate of
body weight gain for as long
as 6 months in normal rats, and for up to 1 year in normal dogs. In summary,
DOV 21947 is effective in causing a sustained and selective reduction in fat content and
triglyceride levels in animal models of
obesity without significantly altering vital organ function.