Post-prandial thermogenesis with ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin in lean, pre-disposed obese and obese women.

Author: Horton TJ, Geissler CA

Author affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, King's College, University of London, Kensington, UK.

Publication date & source: 1996.02, Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord., 20(2):91-7.

Publication type: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not aspirin further potentiates the greater post-prandial thermogenesis induced by ephedrine with caffeine. DESIGN: Determination of the acute metabolic rate response to the following treatments: 1050 kJ liquid meal (M); meal plus ephedrine (30 mg) and caffeine (100 mg) (MEC) or meal plus ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin (300 mg) (MECA). SUBJECTS: Lean, pre-disposed obese and obese women (n = 10 each group). MEASUREMENTS: Pre- and post-treatment metabolic rate determinations via indirect calorimetry. Post-treatment measurements made at 20 min intervals for a total of 160 min. RESULTS: In all groups, metabolic rate increased significantly more following the MEC or MECA, compared to the meal only (p < 0.05). The obese group had a significantly greater absolute increase in metabolic rate following the MECA and MEC compared to both the lean and pre-disposed obese groups (p < 0.05). Metabolic rate remained elevated at the end of the 160 min following all treatments. CONCLUSION: Aspirin does not further potentiate the acute thermic effect of ephedrine and caffeine with a meal. However, the full thermogenic response was not measured and longer duration studies are necessary to confirm these results.