Study design
obesity, W-LHIT, lung disease, blood coagulation
OBESITY, LUNG DISEASE, THYROID, DISEASES OF THE HEART, DISEASES
Before enrollment, a CT scan of the chest was used to exclude lung disease and a color doppler ultrasound was used to exclude organic diseases of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Thyroid function, blood coagulation, and sex hormone lab tests were used to rule out obesity caused by endogenous diseases.The design of the study was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Fourty participants were randomly divided into treatment group (treated with W-LHIT capsules) and control group (treated with placebo) according to random number table with 20 cases in each group. All participants had a light diet and were advised to drink at least 1.5 L of water during the study. W-LHIT was dosed according to body weight, all subjects dosed 9 to 15 capsules daily (3 - 5 capsules a time, before meals, three times a day) for 2 months and then followed up for an additional 2 months. Other weight-loss drugs (including weight-loss dietary supplements) were discontinued during the treatment and follow up period. If a subject discontinued the study prematurely, the remainder of doses were recalled. Since researchers and subjects were both blinded, W-LHIT capsules and placebo were all distributed by a third-party designated distributor. After unblinding, the subjects in control group voluntarily participated in another open trial where they were given a 2-month supply of W-LHIT capsules for treatment, while the active group stopped W-LHIT. Both groups had their weight checked again 2 months later.