This multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded, parallel-group controlled trial will evaluate the effects of standardized large yellow tea extract on glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight adults with elevated triglyceride levels. Approximately 138 participants aged 18 to 60 years will be enrolled at three study centers in China and randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to a placebo control group or a standardized large yellow tea extract group. Participants will receive the assigned intervention for 12 weeks, together with standardized lifestyle guidance. The primary objective is to compare the change in fasting triglyceride levels from baseline to week 12 between the two groups. Secondary objectives include evaluating changes in other lipid parameters, glucose metabolism, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and safety and tolerability. Exploratory analyses will assess plasma and/or urine metabolomic profiles and potential biomarkers related to response to the tea intervention. Participants will also be followed through week 24 for longer-term safety assessment and changes in glucose and lipid metabolism.
This study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded, parallel-group controlled intervention trial conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Huangshan People's Hospital, and Lu'an People's Hospital in China. Eligible participants will be adults aged 18 to 60 years who are overweight or obese, defined as a body mass index of at least 24.0 kg/m², and who have elevated fasting triglyceride levels without diagnosed diabetes or major cardiovascular disease. After screening and confirmation of eligibility, participants will be randomized in a 1:2 ratio to the placebo control group or the standardized large yellow tea extract group. The intervention period will last 12 weeks. Both groups will receive standardized lifestyle guidance covering diet, physical activity, and sleep. Lifestyle-related factors will be assessed using dietary records, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Adherence, concomitant medication use, and adverse events will be monitored throughout the intervention period. Study visits are planned at screening, baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Fasting blood samples will be collected for efficacy and safety assessments according to the study schedule. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in fasting triglyceride concentration from baseline to week 12. Secondary assessments include total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and heart rate. Safety assessments include adverse events, laboratory safety parameters, and tolerability. Exploratory analyses will investigate changes in plasma and/or urine metabolomic profiles, identify metabolites associated with exposure to large yellow tea extract, and explore associations between candidate biomarkers and triglyceride response. After completion of the 12-week intervention, participants will continue follow-up through week 24 for evaluation of longer-term safety and changes in glucose and lipid metabolism.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
138
Standardized large yellow tea extract powder, 3 g per dose, administered orally twice daily, approximately 30 minutes after breakfast and 30 minutes after dinner, for 12 weeks. The product is prepared in 200-300 mL of warm water and consumed within 10 minutes.
Matching placebo powder containing excipients such as maltodextrin and vitamin C and no active large yellow tea components. The placebo is matched to the active product in appearance, color, taste, packaging, and administration schedule and is given for 12 weeks.
Change From Baseline in Fasting Triglyceride Level at Week 12
Fasting serum triglyceride concentration will be measured at baseline and Week 12. The outcome will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value and compared between the standardized large yellow tea extract group and the placebo control group.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Total Cholesterol at Week 12
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Apolipoprotein A1 at Week 12
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Apolipoprotein B at Week 12
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Body Mass Index at Week 12
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol at Week 12
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Number of Participants With Adverse Events
Time frame: Baseline through Week 24
Change From Baseline in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol at Week 12
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol at Week 12
Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) will be calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL-C at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol at Week 12
Small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Fasting Plasma Glucose at Week 12
Fasting plasma glucose will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Fasting Insulin at Week 12
Fasting insulin will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in HOMA-IR at Week 12
Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) will be calculated from fasting plasma glucose and fasting insulin measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Body Weight at Week 12
Body weight will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Waist Circumference at Week 12
Waist circumference will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Systolic Blood Pressure at Week 12
Systolic blood pressure will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Diastolic Blood Pressure at Week 12
Diastolic blood pressure will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Heart Rate at Week 12
Heart rate will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) at Week 12
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) will be measured at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Body Fat Percentage at Week 12
Body fat percentage will be measured using the prespecified body composition assessment method at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Visceral Fat at Week 12
Visceral fat will be assessed using the prespecified body composition assessment method at baseline and Week 12. Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
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