Kosen-cha, a Polymerized Catechin-Rich Green Tea, as a Potential Functional Beverage for the Reduction of Body Weight and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Pilot Study in Obese Patients.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that green tea catechins (GTCs) have beneficial effects on obesity and metabolic syndromes. In this study, we prepared kosen-cha from green tea using high pressure extraction, to reduce the astringent taste of the green tea. We identified a large quantity of polymerized GTCs in kosen-cha. To investigate the effects of kosen-cha containing polymerized GTCs in obese Japanese patients, we designed an open-label pilot study in which 6 obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2) were administered kosen-cha (5 g/L/d) for 12 weeks. Body composition, serum lipids, insulin resistance, vascular functions, and cardiac hypertrophy were measured before and 12 weeks after kosen-cha administration. Kosen-cha showed no significant adverse effects on the patients. Body weights, BMI, waist circumferences, serum triglyceride (TG) levels, and homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were significantly decreased after the 12 weeks of administration. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (p = 0.0214), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV)(p = 0.0141), left ventricular mass indexes (p = 0.0120), and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (p = 0.0144) were significantly improved. Overall, kosen-cha reduced obesity and improved insulin resistance, vascular function, and cardiac hypertrophy, indicating its preventive potential in obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• Authors: Yasufumi Katanasaka, Yusuke Miyazaki, Yoichi Sunagawa, Masafumi Funamoto, Kana Shimizu, Satoshi Shimizu, Nurmila Sari, Yasuo Shimizu, Hiromichi Wada, Koji Hasegawa, Tatsuya Morimoto
• Journal: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (Biol Pharm Bull) Vol. 43 Issue 4 Pg. 675-681 ( 2020) ISSN: 1347-5215 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 32238708 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tea
• Catechin

Topics

• Adult
• Body Weight
• Cardiovascular Diseases (prevention & control)
• Catechin (pharmacology)
• Female
• Functional Food
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (diet therapy)
• Pilot Projects
• Risk Factors
• Tea