薬理と治療

Abstract

Objective We assessed a powdered beverage containing green tea catechins in terms of safety and efficacy regarding reduction of visceral fat area（VFA）in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled, and parallel-group trial in obese subjects. Methods A total of 150 obese subjects［mean BMI（±SEM）, 27.36±1.34 kg╱m2; mean age, 49.0±9.1 years］were assigned to two groups. After a 3-week observation period, subjects consumed two beverages each containing a packet of 280 mg powdered green tea catechins （total of 560 mg green tea catechins per day）or two control beverages daily for 12 weeks, followed by another 4-week observation period. Results A total of 144 subjects（catechin group, n＝73; control group, n＝71）completed the study. At 12 weeks, the primary endpoint, change from baseline in VFA（ΔVFA）, was significantly lower in the catechin group （ΔVFA＝－6.02±15.26 cm2）than in the control group （ΔVFA＝2.63±12.61 cm2）. Secondary endpoints（total fat area, subcutaneous fat area, and body weight）were also significantly lower in the catechin group than in the control group. Safety parameters and incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. In conclusion, the powdered beverages containing a total of 560 mg green tea catechins per day were able to reduce abdominal fat and suppress weight gain without any negative side effects.