Impact of Orlistat on Staphylococcus aureus Engulfment by Phagocytic Cells In Vitro

Background: In recent years, anti-obesity drugs have become increasingly widespread. With their growing use, it is essential to study the effects of these medications on vital physiological processes to better understand both their efficacy and potential adverse effects. One such crucial process is phagocytosis, a key mechanism in the immune response. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the anti-obesity drug Orlistat on phagocytic activity in vitro. Methodology: The Phagocytic function was assessed using a Phagocytic Function Test, where phagocytic cells were exposed to various dilutions and concentrations of Orlistat. The cells were incubated and examined at two different time intervals: 30 minutes and 1 hour. Results: The results showed no direct effect and no statistically significant difference in phagocytic activity at any of the tested concentrations after 30 minutes and 1 hour of incubation. However, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed when comparing results between the first and third experimental slides. Conclusion: Although Orlistat did not demonstrate a significant impact on phagocytic activity during the initial 30 to 60 minutes of exposure, the differences observed between specific samples suggest that extended exposure or experimental variability might influence phagocytic responses. Further research with longer exposure times and more controlled conditions is warranted to clarify these findings.