抄録
In the present study, we tested 7 slimming supplements imported by individuals from China for pharmaceutical adulterants using a combination of GC/MS and HPLC/photodiode-array systems. Adulterants detected were the appetite suppressants fenfluramine (FEN), which has been banned in the US since 1997 for damaging heart valves, N-nitroso-fenfluramine (NFE; FEN derivative), which has caused life-threatening liver damage and mazindol (MAZ), a sympathomimetic amine similar to an amphetamine. Two of the supplements contained FEN (3.8 and 1.5 mg/capsule) and one each contained NFE (4.9 mg/capsule) and MAZ (0.2 mg/capsule). Such supplements are potentially hazardous to health but people are unaware of the risks since they do know that drugs have been added. In the case of pharmaceuticals, extensive efficacy and safety testing must be conducted before they can be approved for sale. However since dietary supplements are considered to be nutritional foods rather than pharmaceuticals, such testing is often not conducted. Furthermore, the feeling of the public that dietary supplements are not harmful in any way frequently leads to overuse and clinical problems. It would therefore be a good idea for pharmacists to provide advice to consumers and health care professionals regarding the benefits and risks of dietary supplements.
