Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment of obesity
K. R. Shetty and R. K. Kalkhoff
After a nine-day control period, six hospitalized obese women were placed
on 500 calorie diets and were given 125 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin
(HCG) intramuscularly daily for 30 days. Another five obese women received
injections of diluent only and consumed identical diets for the same
period. Mean weight loss in the HCG-treated group was nearly identical to
that achieved by women given the placebo. Reduction of triceps skinfold
thickness or circumferential body measurements of the chest, waist, hips,
and thighs were not different. Patters of change of a variety of plasma and
urine substrates, electrolytes, and hormones were similar in the two groups
and consistent with semistarvation and weight loss. These results indicate
that HCG has no effects on chemical and hormonal parameters measured and
offers no advantage over calorie restriction in promoting weight loss.
