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Effects of Green Tea on Level of Serum Uric Acid in Healthy Individuals

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Hyperuricemia
Gout
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: green tea extracts 2 gm/day
Dietary Supplement: green tea extracts 4 gm/day
Dietary Supplement: green tea extracts 6 gm/day
Registration Number
NCT01363869
Lead Sponsor
Chiang Mai University
Brief Summary

Green tea has been extensively investigated for several potential health benefits. Previous studies have suggested that green tea may lower serum uric acid level in human. The purpose of this study is to investigate uric-lowering properties of green tea in healthy individuals.

Detailed Description

Elevated serum uric acid is related to the risk of development of gout, the most common inflammatory arthritis in men. Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is one of the uric-lowering agents commonly used in patients suffering from recurrent and chronic gout. Nevertheless, its use is limited by adverse effects and serious allergic reaction in some patients.

Green tea is one of the most frequently consumed beverages, particularly in Japan. Green tea contains high level of catechins, in which Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant compound among other types of catechins. Antioxidant effect contributes to various potential health benefits of green tea. Several in-vitro studies have found that green tea inhibits xanthine oxidase activity and subsequently decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and uric acid production. We therefore would like to investigate the hypouricemic effects of green tea.

The study consists of three periods with a total duration of four weeks. The first week is the control period. The following two weeks is the interventional period and the last week is the follow up period. Thirty healthy participants will be randomly assigned into three experimental groups, receiving 2 gm/day, 4 gm/day and 6 gm/day (in capsule, two times after meal) of green tea extract during interventional period. Blood and urine samples will be taken at the beginning and at the end of each study period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Healthy individuals
  • Normal renal and liver function from blood tests
Exclusion Criteria
  • Presence of co-morbidity or currently ill
  • Currently using any medication or nutritional supplement product that may affect serum uric acid level
  • Serum creatinine higher than 1.5 mg/dl
  • Abnormal serum Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or Alanine transaminase (ALT)
  • Greater than 15% change in serum uric acid during control period

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Green tea extracts 2 gm/daygreen tea extracts 2 gm/dayGreen tea extracts 2 gm/day for 14 days
Green tea extracts 4 gm/daygreen tea extracts 4 gm/dayGreen tea extracts 4 gm/day for 14 days
Green tea extracts 6 gm/daygreen tea extracts 6 gm/dayGreen tea extracts 6 gm/day for 14 days
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
serum uric acid4 weeks (prior to, immediately after and 7 days after intervention)
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
urinary uric acid excretion4 weeks (prior to, immediately after and 7 days after intervention)
serum antioxidant activity4 weeks (prior to, immediately after and 7 days after intervention)
serum EGCG level1 week (immediately after and 7 days after intervention)

Measurements of serum level of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Adverse events4 week (prior to, immediately after and 7 days after intervention)

Adverse events during 4-week study

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University

🇹🇭

Chiang Mai, Thailand

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