Research on anti-obesity effect of tea catechins by improving the intestinal environment and its mechanism

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19672
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University (2022-2023); Jumonji University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Ushiroda Chihiro 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (30869764)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: EGCG / 肥満 / 腸内細菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To clarify whether the anti-obesity effect of tea catechin ((-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate; EGCG) is due to its function of improving the intestinal environment, we conducted an experiment on the transplantation of gut microbiota. The results showed that the gut microbiota altered by EGCG intake did not directly affect the anti-obesity effect. Furthermore, microarray analysis of the liver and colon revealed that the mechanism of the anti-obesity effect of EGCG is the improvement of lipid metabolism, as previously reported. Furthermore, the possibility of an indirect effect via changes in the gut microbiota was also revealed.

Free Research Field

臨床栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

緑茶に含まれるカテキン（(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate; EGCG）は様々な生理機能を有し、EGCGの抗肥満作用に関しては、脂質代謝の改善に基づく作用機序が報告されているが、EGCG摂取後の腸管からの吸収は非常に少なく、吸収されなかったEGCGは大腸へ到達し、腸内細菌によって資化・分解される。EGCGが消化管を介して全身へ及ぼす作用に着目し、研究した結果、EGCGの抗肥満作用は脂質代謝改善作用と消化管を介した作用も一部関与している可能性が示唆された。EGCGの抗肥満作用の作用機序の一端を明らかにすることができた。