Refsum's Disease—Use of the Intestinal Lipase Inhibitor, Orlistat, as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to a Complex Disorder
Figure 3
(a) Pre-plasmapheresis plasma phytanate (phytanic acid) levels. AF’s and VF’s preplasmapheresis phytanic acid levels before and after addition of Orlistat (Xenical) therapy to diet and regular plasmapheresis (shown by arrow in June 2005) showing good control of phytanic acid levels except during periods of non compliance with Orlistat therapy (in 2008) and weight loss (in 2007 and 2009). (b) AF’s and VF’s mean plasma phytanic acid levels (mg/dL) before and after addition of Orlistat therapy to regular plasmapheresis and stable low phytanic acid diet. AF’s and VF’s mean phytanic acid level before addition of Orlistat was 14.8 mg/dL (SD 9.9) and 19.0 mg/dL (SD 13.2), respectively. AF’s and VF’s mean phytanic acid level after addition of Orlistat therapy was 6.7 mg/dL(SD 2.8) and 8.2 mg/dL (SD5.5), respectively, with a -value <0.05 on two-sample -Test.
