Loh Shwu Chun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [109]-120). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; appendix also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iv / List of Abbreviations --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.ix / Table of Contents / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction and Study Objectives / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Definition and diagnostic criteria of the metabolic syndrome --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Clinical states of the metabolic syndrome --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) and Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Dyslipidaemia --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Hypertension --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Obesity --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Effects of weight loss on the metabolic syndrome --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Ethnic differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5 --- Treatment of the metabolic syndrome --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Oral Hypoglycaemic agents and their failure in the metabolic syndrome --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Sulphonylureas --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Biguanides --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.4.1 --- Thiazolinedinediones --- p.22 / Chapter 1.6.4.1.1 --- Rosiglitazone --- p.24 / Chapter 1.6.4.1.1.1 --- Mode of Action --- p.24 / Chapter 1.6.4.1.1.2 --- Adverse events and current status --- p.26 / Chapter 1.7 --- Orlistat --- p.27 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Mode of Action --- p.28 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Adverse events and current status --- p.28 / Chapter 1.7.3 --- Therapeutic Potential in the Metabolic Syndrome --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8 --- Study Hypothesis --- p.30 / Chapter 1.9 --- Study Objectives --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Research Design and Methods / Chapter 2 --- Study Protocol --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1 --- Overall Design --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Patients Selection Criteria --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Inclusion Criteria --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Exclusion Criteria --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Recruitment Period --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Screening Period --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Run- In Period (Visit 0) --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Randomisation --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.2.4 --- Evaluation Periods (Visit 2 to 4) --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2 --- Investigations --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Anthropometric measurements --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3 --- Analytical Methods --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Determinations of insulin levels in plasma samples --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Principle of the Insulin assay --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Determinations of glucose concentrations in samples --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.2.1. --- Principle of the glucose assay --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4 --- Calculations --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Insulin (hepatic) sensitivity (HOMA) --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Area Under the Curves --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Sample Size Calculations --- p.45 / Chapter 2.5 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.46 / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Study Population --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- Randomisation --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3 --- Study Results --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Indices of Glycaemic Control --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- HbAlc --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Fasting Plasma Glucose --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.1.3 --- Fasting Insulin --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.1.4 --- 75g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3.1.4.1 --- Glucose --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3.1.4.1.1 --- 2hr-Glucose --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.1.4.1.2 --- GlucoseAuc --- p.62 / Chapter 3.3.1.4.2 --- Insulin --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3.1.4.2.1 --- 2-hr insulin --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3.1.4.2.2 --- InsulinAuc --- p.65 / Chapter 3.3.1.5 --- HOMA score --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Clinical Determinants --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Lipid Profiles --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2.1.1. --- Total Cholesterol --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2.1.2 --- HDL-Cholesterol --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.2.1.3 --- LDL-Cholesterol --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2.1.4 --- Triglycerides --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Anthropometric Evaluations --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.1 --- Body Weight --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.2 --- Waist Circumference Difference --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.3 --- Hip --- p.76 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.4 --- Body Fat --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.5 --- BMI --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Blood Pressure --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.4 --- RCCA and LCCA --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.5 --- Other outstanding measurements --- p.82 / Chapter 3.4 --- Side Effects experienced --- p.82 / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Discussion and Conclusion / Chapter 4.1 --- Summary of the results --- p.83 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Effects of Diet and Lifestyle Changes --- p.83 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Effects of Orlistat --- p.84 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Effects of Rosiglitazone --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2 --- Implications for therapy --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Management of metabolic syndrome --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Early Diagnosis --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Lifestyle Modification --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Pharmacological Targets --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.4.1 --- Statins --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.4.2 --- Fibrates --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.4.3 --- ACE Inhibitors --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.4.4 --- Thiazolidinediones --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.4.4.1 --- Economic Evaluations of Thiazolidinediones --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.4.5 --- Orlistat --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.4.5.1 --- Economic Evaluations of Orlistat --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Small sample size --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Short period of study --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Adherence to lifestyle modifications --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Analytical assays --- p.106 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Follow up end of study --- p.106 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Ultrasound measurement of the common carotid arteries --- p.106 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Availability of thiazolinediones --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion and Implications for future studies --- p.107 / References --- p.110 / Appendix I --- p.121 / Appendix II --- p.122 / Appendix III --- p.125