Effects of colchicine on lipolysis and adipose tissue inflammation in adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Objective The aim of this study was to examine whether colchicine's anti-inflammatory effects would improve measures of lipolysis and distribution of leukocyte populations in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Methods A secondary analysis was conducted for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in which 40 adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were randomized to colchicine 0.6 mg or placebo twice daily for 3 months. Non-insulin-suppressible (l 0 ), insulin-suppressible (l 2 ), and maximal (l 0 +l 2 ) lipolysis rates were calculated by minimal model analysis. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. SAT leukocyte populations were characterized by flow cytometry analysis from biopsied samples obtained before and after the intervention. Results Colchicine treatment significantly decreased l 2 and l 0 +l 2 versus placebo (p 0.05). Conclusions In adults with obesity and MetS, colchicine appears to improve insulin regulation of lipolysis and reduce markers of systemic inflammation independent of an effect on local leukocyte distributions in SAT. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which colchicine affects adipose tissue metabolic pathways in adults with obesity and MetS.

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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