Effects of Acipimox on Mitochondrial Function in Obesity

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women age 18-55 years old
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2
• Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women
• Hypertriglyceridemia defined as triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl OR Insulin resistance defined as elevated fasting glucose (≥ 100 mg/dl but <125 mg/dl) or hyperinsulinemia defined as fasting serum insulin ≥ 10 uU/ml.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects on any hormonal treatment including estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, testosterone, glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids, GH, GH releasing hormone or Insulin like growth factor (IGF)-1 within 3months of enrollment.
• Subjects who have a known history of diabetes, using any anti-diabetic drugs, or fasting blood glucose of ≥ 125 mg/dl.
• Use of cholesterol lowering medication including niacin or fish oil.
• Changes in anti-hypertensive regimen within 3months of screening.
• Chronic illness including HIV, anemia (Hgb <12 g/dL), chronic kidney disease (Creatinine > 2 mg/dL), or liver disease (SGOT > 2.5 x upper limit normal).
• Use of Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix), Warfarin (Coumadin) or other anti-coagulants
• History of or active peptic ulcer disease
• History of any recent cardiovascular event including myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack), cerebral vascular accident (CVA; or stroke) or transient ischemic attack (TIA; or mini-stroke) within 3 months of screening visit, unstable angina pectoris, oxygen-dependent severe pulmonary disease
• Subjects with contraindication for an MRI study including any significant metal in their body including surgical clippings, or pacemakers and known claustrophobia.
• History of recent alcohol or substance abuse (< 1 year)
• Positive pregnancy test or lactating females
• Women of child-bearing potential not currently using non-hormonal birth control methods including barrier methods (intra-uterine device or IUD, condoms, diaphragms) or abstinence
• Subject is currently enrolled in another investigational device or drug trial(s), or subject has received other investigational agent(s) within 28 days of baseline visit.