This study suggests that berberine is a potential weight loss and weight maintenance drug for patients with schizophrenia. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Berberine treatment for weight gain in patients with schizophrenia by regulating leptin rather than adiponectin.
Asian J Psychiatr. 2022 Jan ;67:102896. Epub 2021 Nov 1. PMID: 34773803
Yuying Qiu
BACKGROUND: Berberine could improve antipsychotic-induced weight gain in obese cell lines and animal models. This study aimed to exam the effect of berberine on weight gain in patients with schizophrenia.
METHODS: Each subject who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia had been on stable dose of a single antipsychotic for at least one month. In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects received either berberine (900 mg per day) or placebo. Anthropometric parameters, leptin and adiponectin were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8.
RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were enrolled, 49 of which completed the treatment. At the 8th week, the mean weight of patients in the berberine group (N = 27) lost 1.10 kg, while in the placebo group (N = 22) gained 1.45 kg. There were significant differences in body weight (F=10.493, P = 0.001), BMI (F=9.344, P = 0.002) and leptin (F=6.265, P = 0.003). Further, the change of leptin had significant positive correlations with the changes of body weight(r = 0.395, P = 0.041) and BMI(r = 0.389, P = 0.045). There was no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that berberine is a potential weight loss and weight maintenance drug for patients with schizophrenia. The effect of berberine on weight gain may be related to the regulation of leptin, but not adiponectin.