Can omeprazole cause weight gain
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Can Omeprazole Cause Weight Gain?
Omeprazole and Weight Gain in Mice
Research on the effects of omeprazole, a common proton pump inhibitor, on weight gain has shown varied results depending on several factors such as diet, sex, and genetic background. A study involving different strains of mice fed high-caloric diets with omeprazole revealed that male mice on a high-energy diet with omeprazole gained more weight compared to those on a standard diet. Interestingly, female mice on the same diet did not show a similar weight gain, indicating that sex plays a significant role in how omeprazole affects weight . Additionally, the study found that genetic background also influences weight gain, with mixed strain male mice gaining approximately 40% more weight than females on the same diet .
Omeprazole and Weight Gain in Chickens
In chickens, omeprazole treatment has been associated with reduced body weight gain. Studies have shown that chickens treated with omeprazole exhibited decreased food intake and failed to gain weight compared to controls. This effect was linked to elevated plasma gastrin levels, which exert a satiety effect, reducing food intake . Furthermore, omeprazole treatment in chickens led to increased growth of the parathyroid glands and reduced bone density, but did not affect blood calcium levels 24.
Omeprazole and Weight Gain in Rats
Similar to findings in chickens, long-term omeprazole treatment in young male rats resulted in suppressed body weight gain. The study noted that omeprazole-induced hypergastrinemia was associated with increased growth of the stomach's oxyntic mucosa and hyperplasia of enterochromaffin-like cells. However, the overall body weight and bone mineral content were reduced, indicating that omeprazole might inhibit weight gain in this context .
Omeprazole and Weight Gain in Humans with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
In humans, particularly those with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES), the relationship between omeprazole and weight gain appears to be influenced by the control of gastric acid secretion. Patients with ZES who were treated with omeprazole or histamine H2-receptor antagonists to control acid secretion experienced weight gain. This weight gain was attributed to the correction of malabsorption and the persistence of eating patterns developed to relieve symptoms prior to diagnosis . The study suggests that effective control of gastric acid secretion, whether by omeprazole or other antisecretory medications, can lead to weight gain in these patients .
Conclusion
The impact of omeprazole on weight gain varies across different species and contexts. In mice, the effect is influenced by sex and genetic background, while in chickens and rats, omeprazole tends to suppress weight gain. In humans with ZES, weight gain is observed when gastric acid secretion is effectively controlled. These findings highlight the complexity of omeprazole's effects on body weight, which are modulated by multiple factors including diet, sex, genetic background, and underlying medical conditions.
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