Long-term Supplementation of Dietary Polyphenols as Modulators of Lipid Oxidation and Mitochondrial Function in Overweight Volunteers

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we aim to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation on insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function and substrate metabolism in healthy overweight men and women.

In each group, 21 subjects consume 100mg Resveratrol (RSV) and 150mg Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), respectively Placebo capsules, twice daily over a period of 12 weeks. The subjects receive the capsules after the last pre-measurement and continue to take them throughout the post-measurements.

Before and after the supplementation period, we perform a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with a glucose-tracer infusion to assess hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity. Simultaneously, substrate oxidation is measured throughout the clamp by indirect calorimetry. Furthermore, we perform a high-fat mixed meal test, in which we collect blood and measure substrate oxidation during fasted and postprandial conditions. During the meal tests, extra plasma is collected at the start (t=-30) and the end (t=240), of which the supernatant is stored in light-protected tubes (EGCG is mixed 1:1 with an EGCG buffer) for analyzing polyphenol concentrations in the blood.

In the male subgroup (21 men), we additionally place each 2 microdialysis probes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue and the gastrocnemius in order to assess local lipolysis and blood flow by means of ethanol infusion.

Furthermore, a dexa-scan is performed to assess body composition and biopsies are taken under fasted conditions from the subcutaneous adipose tissue and the quadriceps femoralis muscle. These samples are stored at -80C. Part of the adipose tissue samples is collected to measure adipocyte size. Of the skeletal muscle biopsy, one part is directly buffered and used for the oxygraph to measure mitochondrial function.

At last, feces samples are collected before and after the intervention in order to assess energy content, microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid content.

Based on previous human studies in our and other departments, we hypothesize that after 12 weeks of the combined polyphenol supplementation, insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function improve. Furthermore, based on results of a short-term study performed by our group, that demonstrated an increase in energy expenditure, a positive effect on the regulation of body composition might be expected.