Metabolic response to epigallocatechin-3-gallate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 2015-03, Vol.101 (3), p.487-495
• Main Authors: Mähler, Anja, Steiniger, Jochen, Bock, Markus, Klug, Lars, Parreidt, Nadine, Lorenz, Mario, Zimmermann, Benno F, Krannich, Alexander, Paul, Friedemann, Boschmann, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acetates; adipose tissue; Adult; blood; Carbohydrate Metabolism - drug effects; Catechin - adverse effects; Catechin - analogs & derivatives; Catechin - therapeutic use; clinical nutrition; Clinical trials; Combined Modality Therapy - adverse effects; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; Double-Blind Method; energy expenditure; energy metabolism; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Exercise; fasting; Female; flavanols; Glatiramer Acetate; glucose; green tea; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; lipid metabolism; Lipid Metabolism - drug effects; Male; men; Metabolism; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - diet therapy; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - metabolism; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - physiopathology; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; muscles; Neuroprotective Agents - adverse effects; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Oxidation; patients; Peptides - adverse effects; Peptides - therapeutic use; Postprandial Period; randomized clinical trials; sclerosis; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Characteristics; skeletal muscle; Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal - drug effects; Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal - metabolism; Tea; women
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.113.075309

Background: Muscle weakness and fatigue are common symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Green tea catechins such as (−)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are known to improve energy metabolism at rest and during exercise. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that EGCG improves energy metabolism and substrate utilization in patients with MS. Design: Eighteen patients (8 men) with relapsing-remitting MS (expanded disability status scale score women). After placebo, exercise EE was mainly fueled by FAOx in both men and women. After EGCG, there was a shift to a higher and more stable CHOx during exercise in men but not in women. Conclusions: Our data indicate that EGCG given to patients with MS over 12 wk improves muscle metabolism during moderate exercise to a greater extent in men than in women, possibly because of sex-specific effects on autonomic and endocrine control. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01417312.