A green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks in humans

Objective: The body fat reducing effect and reduction of risks for cardiovascular disease by a green tea extract (GTE) high in catechins was investigated in humans with typical lifestyles. Research Methods and Procedures: Japanese women and men with visceral fat‐type obesity were recruited for the trial. After a 2‐week diet run‐in period, a 12‐week double‐blind parallel multicenter trial was performed, in which the subjects ingested green tea containing 583 mg of catechins (catechin group) or 96 mg of catechins (control group) per day. Randomization was stratified by gender and body mass index at each medical institution. The subjects were instructed to maintain their usual dietary intake and normal physical activity. Results: Data were analyzed using per‐protocol samples of 240 subjects (catechin group; n = 123, control group; n = 117). Decreases in body weight, body mass index, body fat ratio, body fat mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat area were found to be greater in the catechin group than in the control group. A greater decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was found in the catechin group compared with the control group for subjects whose initial SBP was 130 mm Hg or higher. Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was also decreased to a greater extent in the catechin group. No adverse effect was found. Discussion: The continuous ingestion of a GTE high in catechins led to a reduction in body fat, SBP, and LDL cholesterol, suggesting that the ingestion of such an extract contributes to a decrease in obesity and cardiovascular disease risks.     

A Catechin‐rich Beverage Improves Obesity and Blood Glucose Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

We investigated the effects of continuous ingestion of a catechin‐rich beverage in patients with type 2 diabetes who were not receiving insulin (Ins) therapy in a double‐blind controlled study. The participants ingested green tea containing either 582.8 mg of catechins (catechin group; n = 23) or 96.3 mg of catechins (control group; n = 20) per day for 12 weeks. At week 12, the decrease in waist circumference was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group. Adiponectin, which is negatively correlated with visceral adiposity, increased significantly only in the catechin group. Although the increase in Ins at week 12 was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group, no apparent difference was noted between the two groups in glucose and hemoglobin A_1c. In patients treated with insulinotropic agents, the increase in Ins at week 12 was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group. This significant increase in Ins levels was observed only in the catechin group. In the catechin group receiving other treatments, Ins levels remained unchanged. In addition, in patients treated with insulinotropic agents, the decrease in hemoglobin A_1c at week 12 was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group. These results suggest that a catechin‐rich beverage might have several therapeutic uses: in the prevention of obesity; in the recovery of Ins‐secretory ability; and, as a way to maintain low hemoglobin A_1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients who do not yet require Ins therapy.     

Daily consumption of tea catechins improves aerobic capacity in healthy male adults: a randomized double-blind,placebo-controlled,crossover trial

Our previous studies demonstrated that dietary supplementation with tea catechins combined with exercise improved endurance capacity in mice. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of daily tea catechin consumption on aerobic capacity in humans. Sixteen Japanese non-athlete male subjects (aged 25–47 years) took 500 mL of a test beverage with or without tea catechins (570 mg) daily for 8 weeks and attended a training program twice a week. Aerobic capacity was evaluated by indirect calorimetry and near-infrared spectroscopy during graded cycle exercise. Catechin beverage consumption was associated with a significantly higher ventilation threshold during exercise and a higher recovery rate of oxygenated hemoglobin and myoglobin levels after graded cycle exercise when compared to subjects receiving the placebo beverage. These results indicate that daily consumption of tea catechins increases aerobic capacity when combined with semiweekly light exercise, which may be due to increased skeletal muscle aerobic capacity.     

Effect of a thermogenic beverage on 24-hour energy metabolism in humans

Objective: To test whether consumption of a beverage containing active ingredients will increase 24‐hour energy metabolism in healthy, young, lean individuals. Research Method and Procedures: Thirty‐one male and female subjects consumed 3 × 250‐mL servings of a beverage containing green tea catechins, caffeine, and calcium for 3 days in a single‐center, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over design study. On the 3rd day, 23‐hour energy metabolism, extrapolated to 24‐hour, was measured in a calorimeter chamber. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured, and total day and night urines were analyzed for urea and catecholamine excretion. Results: Twenty‐four‐hour energy expenditure (EE) and 24‐hour fat oxidation were lower in women than in men (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.015, respectively). Although there were no treatment or treatment/gender effects on substrate oxidation, treatment increased 24‐hour EE by 106 ± 31 kcal/24 hours (p = 0.002), equivalent to 4.7 ± 1.6 kcal/h (day; p = 0.005) and 3.3 ± 1.5 kcal/h (night; p = 0.04). No significant differences were observed in hemodynamic parameters. Discussion: The present study provides evidence that consumption of a beverage containing green tea catechins, caffeine, and calcium increases 24‐hour EE by 4.6%, but the contribution of the individual ingredients cannot be distinguished. Although this increase is modest, the results are discussed in relation to proposed public health goals, indicating that such modifications are sufficient to prevent weight gain. When consumed regularly as part of a healthy diet and exercise regime, such a beverage may provide benefits for weight control.     

Increased Serum Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein in Obese Children

Objective: To determine whether serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which is one of the physiologically active gene products secreted from adipose tissue, is increased and associated with atherogenic lipoprotein profile in obese children. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 42 consecutive outpatient Japanese obese children, 29 boys and 13 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years, and 25 age‐matched non‐obese children, 13 boys and 12 girls, as the control group for measuring CETP mass. Blood was drawn after an overnight fast and, at the same time, and anthropometric measurements including height, body weight, waist girth, hip girth, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were taken. Paired samples were obtained from 15 obese children who underwent psychoeducational therapy. Serum CETP mass was assayed by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, TC/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), apolipoproteins (apo) B, apo B/apo A₁, and insulin in obese children were significantly higher than the respective reference values. Serum CETP level was ～2‐fold higher (98.7 ± 3.6 vs. 50.9 ± 4.0 nM, means ± SEM, p < 0.001) in the obese children than in the controls. In 15 obese children, whose percentage of overweight declined during therapy, CETP levels decreased significantly. CETP level was correlated with HDLC, TC/HDLC, and insulin, and with percentage of overweight when the data of the obese and non‐obese children were combined. Discussion: CETP is increased and associated with the atherogenic lipoprotein profile in obese children.     

Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Japanese Children

Objective: To determine the prevalence of and sex differences related to the metabolic syndrome among obese and overweight elementary school children. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 471 overweight or obese Japanese children. Children meeting at least three of the following five criteria qualified as having the metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, low high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, and high fasting glucose levels. Fasting insulin levels were also examined. Results: Japanese obese children were found to have a significantly lower prevalence (17.7%) of the metabolic syndrome than U.S. obese adolescents (28.7%, p = 0.0014). However, Japanese overweight children had a similar incidence (8.7%) of the metabolic syndrome compared with U.S. overweight adolescents (6.8%). Hyperinsulinemia in girls and abdominal obesity in boys are characteristic features of individual metabolic syndrome factors in Japanese children. Discussion: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is not lower in preteen Japanese overweight children than in U.S. overweight adolescents, although it is significantly lower in Japanese obese preteen children than in U.S. obese adolescents. Primary and secondary interventions are needed for overweight preteen children in Japan.     

Plasma visfatin concentration as a surrogate marker for visceral fat accumulation in obese children

Objective: This study was designed to elucidate whether the plasma visfatin level reflects visceral or subcutaneous fat accumulation and metabolic derangement in obese children. Methods and Procedures: Fifty‐six obese Japanese children, including 37 boys and 19 girls were enrolled in the study. The age of the subjects ranged from 5 to 15 (10.2 ± 0.3; mean ± s.e.m.) years. The age‐matched control group for measuring visfatin consisted of 20 non‐obese children. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) areas were measured by computed tomography. The plasma concentrations for visfatin and leptin were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The plasma visfatin level was higher in the obese (14.7 ± 0.9 ng/ml) than in the control children (8.6 ± 0.6 ng/ml). In a univariate analysis, the visfatin correlated significantly with age, height, body weight, waist circumference, VAT and SAT area, triglyceride (TG), insulin, and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐R). After being adjusted for age and sex, only the VAT area retained significant partial correlation with visfatin, and in contrast the body weight, BMI–s.d., and SAT area with leptin. The plasma visfatin concentration was not correlated with leptin. The plasma visfatin levels in the control, non‐metabolic syndrome (MS) (n = 49), and MS groups (n = 7) were significantly different from each other. Discussion: These results suggest that plasma visfatin level is a specific marker for visceral fat accumulation in obese children. As a good surrogate marker, plasma visfatin level can predict the VAT area in obese children.     

Effects of Catechin Enriched Green Tea on Body Composition

Obesity is a major health problem in the developed and developing world. Many “functional” foods and ingredients are advocated for their effects on body composition but few have consistent scientific support for their efficacy. However, an increasing amount of mechanistic and clinical evidence is building for green tea (GT). This experiment was therefore undertaken to study the effects of a high‐catechin GT on body composition in a moderately overweight Chinese population. In a randomized placebo‐controlled trial, 182 moderately overweight Chinese subjects, consumed either two servings of a control drink (C; 30 mg catechins, 10 mg caffeine/day), one serving of the control drink and one serving of an extra high‐catechin GT1 (458 mg catechins, 104 mg caffeine/day), two servings of a high‐catechin GT2 (468 mg catechins, 126 mg caffeine/day) or two servings of the extra high‐catechin GT3 (886 mg catechins, 198 mg caffeine/day) for 90 days. Data were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. We observed a decrease in estimated intra‐abdominal fat (IAF) area of 5.6 cm² in the GT3 group. In addition, we found decreases of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 1.2 kg body weight in the GT3 group vs. C (P < 0.05). We also observed reductions in total body fat (GT2, 0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and body fat % (GT1, 0.6%, P < 0.05). We conclude that consumption of two servings of an extra high‐catechin GT leads to improvements in body composition and reduces abdominal fatness in moderately overweight Chinese subjects.     

Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Decreasing Fat and Sugar Intake in Families at Risk for Childhood Obesity

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a parent‐focused behavioral intervention on parent and child eating changes and on percentage of overweight changes in families that contain at least one obese parent and a non‐obese child. Research Methods and Procedures: Families with obese parents and non‐obese children were randomized to groups in which parents were provided a comprehensive behavioral weight‐control program and were encouraged to increase fruit and vegetable intake or decrease intake of high‐fat/high‐sugar foods. Child materials targeted the same dietary changes as their parents without caloric restriction. Results: Changes over 1 year showed that treatment influenced targeted parent and child fruit and vegetable intake and high‐fat/high‐sugar intake, with the Increase Fruit and Vegetable group also decreasing their consumption of high‐fat/high‐sugar foods. Parents in the increased fruit and vegetable group showed significantly greater decreases in percentage of overweight than parents in the decreased high‐fat/high‐sugar group. Discussion: These results suggest that focusing on increasing intake of healthy foods may be a useful approach for nutritional change in obese parents and their children.     

Effect of Fat Sources on Satiety

Objective: There are inconsistent reports on the satiety value of different fatty acids. This study compared the appetitive effects of two fat sources rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (peanut oil and canola oil) with a source rich in saturated fatty acids (butter). Research Methods and Procedures: After an overnight fast, lean participants completed a questionnaire eliciting information about hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and prospective consumption. They then consumed one of the preloads (muffins containing 40 g of each fat source or no fat) and 150 mL of water within 15 minutes. Questionnaires were completed again 30, 60, and 120 minutes after preload ingestion. Participants kept dietary records during the subsequent 24 hours. Results: Canola and peanut oil muffins resulted in higher fullness, and butter, canola, and peanut oil muffins resulted in lower hunger ratings 30, 60, and 120 minutes after preload ingestion compared with the fat‐free preload. No differences were observed among the fat‐containing loads. Although energy intake 24 hours after consumption of the preloads was also comparable on days the three fat‐containing loads were consumed, energy consumption after each study session was higher when the fat‐free muffins were provided. However, total energy intake, including the calories provided by the preloads, was similar across treatments. Discussion: These data do not support a differential satiety effect of fat sources rich in monounsaturated fatty acids relative to one rich in saturated fatty acids.     

Dietary gallate esters of tea catechins reduce deposition of visceral fat, hepatic triacylglycerol, and activities of hepatic enzymes related to fatty acid synthesis in rats

Tea catechins, rich in (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin gallate, or heat-treated tea catechins in which about 50% of the (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin gallate in tea catechins was epimerized to (-)-gallocatechin gallate and (-)-catechin gallate, were fed to rats at 1% level for 23 d. Visceral fat deposition and the concentration of hepatic triacylglycerol were significantly lower in the tea catechin and heat-treated tea catechin groups than in the control group. The activities of fatty acid synthase and the malic enzyme in the liver cytosol were significantly lower in the two catechin groups than in the control group. In contrast, the activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase and acyl-CoA oxidase in the liver homogenate were not significantly different among the three groups. These results suggest that the reduction in activities of enzymes related to hepatic fatty acid synthesis by the feeding of tea catechins or heat-treated tea catechins can cause reductions of hepatic triacylglycerol and possibly of visceral fat deposition.     

BMI, body composition, and physical functioning in older adults

Objective: Recent studies have emphasized the importance of muscle and fat mass in relation to age‐related decline in physical function. Our objective was to determine whether BMI, as a surrogate measurement of fat mass, may be used as a measure of risk factor for physical functioning in older adults and whether body composition measurements confer any advantage over BMI. Research Methods and Procedures: Four thousand men and women ≥65 years of age living in the community, stratified by age and sex, underwent the following measurements: body composition by DXA; grip strength; and timed 6‐m walk. Subjects were grouped into five categories of BMI using Asian criteria for health‐related risks, and between‐group differences in physical performance measures and body composition were analyzed using analysis of covariance adjusting for age, physical activity level, and presence of chronic disease. Results: Subjects in the two obese categories had a significantly greater number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impairments compared with the underweight and normal‐weight groups. Those with BMI ≥30 kg/m² had the worst walking performance, and the groups with BMI in the normal and overweight range had optimal performance. Fat mass, but not appendicular muscle mass, was associated with walking speed after adjusting for BMI. Discussion: Fat mass seems to be a more important factor than appendicular muscle mass in determining walking speed in community‐living older adults, even after adjusting for BMI.     

The effects of Goami No. 2 rice, a natural fiber-rich rice, on body weight and lipid metabolism

Objective : Increased intake of dietary fiber reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We assessed the effects of a fiber‐rich diet on body weight, adipokine concentrations, and the metabolism of glucose and lipids in non‐obese and obese subjects in Korea, where rice is the main source of dietary carbohydrates. Research Methods and Procedures : Eleven healthy, non‐obese and 10 obese subjects completed two 4‐week phases of individual isoenergetic food intake. During the control diet phase, subjects consumed standard rice; during the modified diet phase, subjects consumed equal proportions of fiber‐rich Goami No. 2 rice and standard rice. We used a randomized, controlled, crossover study design with a washout period of 6 weeks between the two phases. Results : After the modified diet phase, body weight was significantly lower in both the non‐obese and obese subjects (non‐obese, 57.0 ± 2.9 vs. 56.1 ± 2.8 kg, p = 0.001; obese, 67.7 ± 2.1 vs. 65.7 ± 2.0 kg, p < 0.001 for before vs. after). The BMI was significantly lower in obese subjects (26.9 ± 0.5 vs. 26.0 ± 0.6 kg/m², p < 0.001). The modified diet was associated with lower serum triacylglycerol (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), and C‐peptide (p < 0.05) concentrations in the obese subjects. Discussion : These results indicate that fiber‐rich Goami No. 2 rice has beneficial effects and may be therapeutically useful for obese subjects.     

Locomotor strategies in obese and non-obese children

Objective: The constant strain in obese children may increase the risks of articular problems in adulthood. In the short term, obesity in children could lead to modifications of the gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical parameters between obese and non‐obese children during self‐paced walking. Research Methods and Procedures: Gait analysis was performed on 10 non‐obese and 10 obese (body weight > 95th percentile) children between 8 and 13 years of age. Subjects were asked to walk at their own pace on a 10‐m walkway with two embedded AMTI force plates (Advanced Mechanical Technology, Watertown, MA) sampling at 960 Hz. Kinematics were captured with eight VICON optoelectronic cameras (Oxford Metrics Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom) recording at 60 Hz. Results: Obese children modified their hip motor pattern by shifting from extensor to flexor moment earlier in the gait cycle. This led obese children to significantly decrease the mechanical work done by the hip extensors during weight acceptance and significantly increase the mechanical work done by the hip flexors compared with non‐obese children. The ratio of power‐absorption‐by‐hip‐flexors to power‐generation‐by‐hip‐flexors was also significantly increased in the obese group compared with non‐obese children. Finally, there was a significant decrease in the single support duration in the obese group compared with non‐obese. Discussion: The kinetics analyzed showed that obese children could take advantage of a passive hip strategy to achieve forward progression during walking. However, considering that they are mechanically less efficient to transfer energy, walking at a natural cadence should be an appropriate exercise to reduce weight in obese children.     

Resistance Training Improves Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Women Despite a Significative Decrease in Serum Adiponectin Levels

Increased circulating adiponectin and insulin sensitivity are usually observed after body fat loss induced by a weight‐loss diet. Progressive resistance training (PRT) without a concomitant weight‐loss diet significantly decreases visceral fat, thus improving insulin sensitivity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of combined 16‐week PRT and weight‐loss diet on circulating adiponectin and insulin sensitivity index. Thirty‐four obese (BMI: 30–40 kg/m²) women, aged 40–60 year, were randomized to three groups: a control group (C; n = 9); a diet group (WL; n = 12) with a caloric restriction of 500 kcal/d; and a diet plus resistance training group (WL+RT; n = 13) with the same caloric restriction as group WL and a 16‐week supervised whole body PRT of two sessions/week. Both WL and WL+RT groups showed similar decreases in body mass (?6.3% and ?7.7%) and visceral fat (?19.9% and ?20.5%). WL resulted in an expected increase in circulating levels of adiponectin (P = 0.07) and insulin sensitivity. However, circulating total adiponectin decreased (P < 0.05) in WL+RT group, whereas an improvement in different cardiovascular risk factors (insulin sensitivity, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), etc.) was observed. In conclusion, in obese women a 16‐week combined PRT and weight‐loss diet is accompanied by significant improvements in different cardiovascular risk factors in spite of a significant decrease of circulating adiponectin.     

Effects of diacylglycerol on glucose, lipid metabolism, and plasma serotonin levels in lean Japanese

Objective: Diacylglycerol (DAG)‐rich oil has been suggested to suppress postprandial hyperlipidemia and promote negative caloric balance by increasing energy expenditure (EE), due to small intestine physiochemical dynamics that differ from triacylglycerol (TAG). We studied the effect of DAG on postprandial glucose/insulin metabolism by loading of carbohydrate with oil. Further, to reveal the mechanism for increased EE by DAG, we measured plasma serotonin, which is mostly present in the small intestine and mediates peripheral sympathetic thermogenesis. Methods and Procedures: Randomized crossover study with 2‐week wash‐out interval between differing fat ingestion. Seven male, lean, Japanese students ingested DAG or TAG oil with 40 g of carbohydrate. Measurements of metabolic parameters were performed before and at 2, 4, and 6 h after fat ingestion. Plasma serotonin levels and cholesterol concentration in each lipoprotein were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The substitution of DAG for TAG decreased very‐low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (VLDL‐C) by 45.6% at 2 h, and decreased serum insulin by 41.3% at 4 h after ingestion. The incremental area under the curve (IAUC) for VLDL‐C was positively correlated with the IAUC for insulin. Concurrently, DAG elevated plasma serotonin levels by 47.3% at 2 h, while TAG did not influence. Discussion: This study indicates that the substitution of DAG for TAG suppresses the postprandial increase in serum VLDL‐C and insulin. This study also demonstrates that DAG ingestion increases plasma serotonin, proposing a possible mechanism for a postprandial increase in EE by DAG.     

Decrease in Serum Adiponectin Level Due to Obesity and Visceral Fat Accumulation in Children

Objective: To determine whether serum adiponectin is decreased in obesity and is restored toward normal level after treatment in children. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 53 Japanese obese children, 33 boys and 20 girls (6 to 14 years old), and 30 age‐matched nonobese controls for measuring adiponectin (16 boys and 14 girls). Blood was drawn after an overnight fast, and the obese children were subjected to anthropometric measurements including waist and hip circumferences and skinfold thicknesses. Paired samples were obtained from 21 obese children who underwent psychoeducational therapy. Visceral adipose tissue area was measured by computed tomography. Adiponectin was assayed by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, apo B, apo B/apo A₁, and insulin in obese children were higher than the reference values. Serum adiponectin level was lower in the obese children than in the controls (6.4 ± 0.6 vs. 10.2 ± 0.8 mg/L, means ± SEM, p < 0.001). In 21 obese children whose percent overweight declined during therapy, the adiponectin level increased (p = 0.002). The adiponectin level was correlated inversely with visceral adipose tissue area in obese children (r = ?0.531, p < 0.001). The inverse correlations of adiponectin with alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and insulin were significant after being adjusted for percentage overweight, percentage body fat, or sex. Discussion: Serum adiponectin level is decreased in obese children depending on the accumulation of visceral fat and is restored toward normal level by slimming.     

Isolation of catechin-converting human intestinal bacteria

Aims: To isolate and characterize bacteria from the human intestine that are involved in the conversion of catechins, a class of bioactive polyphenols abundant in the human diet. Methods and Results: Two bacterial strains, rK3 and aK2, were isolated from an epicatechin‐converting human faecal suspension. The isolates catalysed individual steps in the degradation of (?)‐epicatechin and (+)‐catechin. Based on their phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolates were identified as Eggerthella lenta and Flavonifractor plautii (formerly Clostridium orbiscindens). Eggerthella lenta rK3 reductively cleaved the heterocyclic C‐ring of both (?)‐epicatechin and (+)‐catechin giving rise to 1‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐3‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl)propan‐2‐ol. The conversion of catechin proceeded five times faster than that of epicatechin. Higher (epi)catechin concentrations led to an accelerated formation of the ring fission product without affecting the growth of Eg. lenta rK3. Flavonifractor plautii aK2 further converted 1‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐3‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl)propan‐2‐ol to 5‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐valerolactone and 4‐hydroxy‐5‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)valeric acid. Flavonifractor plautii DSM 6740 catalysed the identical reaction indicating it is not strain specific. Conclusions: The conversion of dietary catechins by the isolated Eg. lenta and F. plautii strains in the human intestine may affect their bioavailability. Significance and Impact of the Study: The majority of catechin metabolites are generated by the intestinal microbiota. The identification of catechin‐converting gut bacteria therefore contributes to the elucidation of the bioactivation and the health effects of catechins.     

Association between Serum Leptin Levels and 24‐Hour Blood Pressure in Obese Women

Objective: To assess the relationship between serum leptin and 24‐hour blood pressure (BP) in obese women, according to body fat distribution. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a population of 70 nondiabetic, normotensive, obese women (40 with android and 30 with gynoid type of obesity) and 20 nonobese healthy women as a control group. All subjects underwent 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Blood samples were collected for serum leptin and plasma insulin measurements. Total cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were also measured. Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in obese subjects than in controls, and they were more elevated in android obese women than in gynoid ones. Leptin levels were positively related to body mass index (BMI), insulin, and waist and hip circumferences in the android group. Among gynoid subjects, leptin levels showed positive associations with BMI and insulin. In women with android obesity, strong positive correlations (p < 0.001) were found between leptin levels and 24‐hour systolic BP (SBP), daytime SBP, nighttime SBP, 24‐hour diastolic BP (DBP), and daytime DBP. Multiple regression analyses, including age, insulin and leptin concentrations, BMI, and waist and hip circumferences on 24‐hour and daytime SBP and DBP, showed that only leptin levels contributed to the variability of BP. Conclusions: Our study shows that serum leptin levels are directly related to 24‐hour BP levels in normotensive women with android fat distribution, independently of BMI.     

Bupropion SR Enhances Weight Loss: A 48‐Week Double‐Blind,Placebo‐ Controlled Trial

Objective: To critically examine the efficacy of bupropion SR for weight loss. Research Methods and Procedures: This 24‐week multicenter, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study randomized obese adults to placebo, bupropion SR 300, or 400 mg/d. Subjects were counseled on energy‐restricted diets, meal replacements, and exercise. During a 24‐week extension, placebo subjects were randomized to bupropion SR 300 or 400 mg/d in a double‐blinded manner. Results: Of 327 subjects enrolled, 227 completed 24 weeks; 192 completed 48 weeks. Percentage losses of initial body weight for subjects completing 24 weeks were 5.0%, 7.2%, and 10.1% for placebo, bupropion SR 300, and 400 mg/d, respectively. Compared with placebo, net weight losses were 2.2% (p = 0.0468) and 5.1% (p < 0.0001) for bupropion SR 300 and 400 mg/d, respectively. The percentages of subjects who lost ≥5% of initial body weight were 46%, 59%, and 83% (p vs. placebo < 0.0001) for placebo, bupropion SR 300, and 400 mg/d, respectively; weight losses of ≥10% were 20%, 33%, and 46% (p vs. placebo = 0.0008) for placebo, bupropion SR 300, and 400 mg/d, respectively. Withdrawals, changes in pulse and blood pressure did not differ significantly from placebo at 24 weeks. Subjects who completed 48 weeks maintained mean losses of initial body weight of 7.5% and 8.6% for bupropion SR 300 and 400 mg/d, respectively. Discussion: Bupropion SR 300 and 400 mg/d were well‐tolerated by obese adults and were associated with a 24‐week weight loss of 7.2% and 10.1% and sustained weight losses at 48 weeks.