piperine and Weight-Loss

This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, 8 week trial assessed the efficacy on metabolic changes produced by a consumption of a combination of bioactive food ingredients (epigallocatechin gallate, capsaicins, piperine and L-carnitine) versus a placebo, as part of a therapeutic 'lifestyle change' diet, in 86 overweight subjects. Forty-one patients (2/14 F/M; age 43.7 ± 8.5; BMI 30.3 ± 3.5 kg/m(2)) were randomized to the supplemented group and 45 (29/16; age 40.7 ± 10.2; BMI 30.0 ± 2.7) to the control group. We observed that consumption of the dietary supplement was associated with a significantly greater decrease in insulin resistance, assessed by homostasis model assessment (p < 0.001), leptin/adiponectin ratio (p < 0.04), respiratory quotient (p < 0.008). LDL-cholesterol levels (p < 0.01). Moreover, statistically significant differences were recorded between the two groups in relation to urinary norepinephrine levels (p < 0.001). Leptin, ghrelin, C-reactive protein decreased and resting energy expenditure increased significantly in the supplemented group (p < 0.05, 0.03, 0.02 and 0,02 respectively), but not in the placebo group; adiponectin decreased significantly in the placebo group (0.001) but not in the supplemented group, although no statistical significance between the groups was elicited. BMI, fat mass (assessed by DXA) and vascular endothelial growth factor significantly decreased, whilst the resting energy expenditure/free fat mass significantly increased in both groups. In general, a greater change was recorded in the supplemented group compared to the placebo, although no statistically significant difference between the two groups was recorded. These results suggest that the combination of bioactive food ingredients studied might be useful for the treatment of obesity-related inflammatory metabolic dysfunctions.

Topics: Adipokines; Adult; Alkaloids; Benzodioxoles; Capsaicin; Carnitine; Catechin; Diet, Reducing; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Insulin Resistance; Male; Middle Aged; Overweight; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Time Factors; Weight Loss; Young Adult

Leukocyte infiltration, up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and severe oxidative stress caused by increased amounts of reactive oxygen species are characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease. The catechin (2R,3R)-2-(3,4,5-Trihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate), named epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG, has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, reducing reactive oxygen species in the inflamed tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of EGCG in a murine model of colitis induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate.. Mice received a daily oral administration of 6.9 mg/kg body weight EGCG or Piper nigrum (L.) alkaloid (2E,4E)-5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-piperidin-1-ylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one, named piperine (2.9 mg/kg body weight) or the combination of the both - piperine was used in this combination to enhance the bioavailability of EGCG.. In vivo data revealed the combination of EGCG and piperine to significantly reduce the loss of body weight, improve the clinical course and increase overall survival in comparison to untreated groups. The attenuated colitis was associated with less histological damages to the colon and reduction of tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde, the final product of lipid peroxidation. Neutrophils accumulation indicator myeloperoxidase was found to be reduced in colon tissue, while antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase showed an increased activity. In vitro, the treatment with EGCG plus piperine enhanced the expression of SOD as well as GPO and also reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines.. These data support the concept of anti-inflammatory properties of EGCG being generally beneficial in the DSS-model of colitis, an effect that may be mediated by its strong antioxidative potential.

Topics: Alkaloids; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Antioxidants; Benzodioxoles; Catechin; Colitis; Dextran Sulfate; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; HT29 Cells; Humans; Interleukin-8; Malondialdehyde; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oxidative Stress; Peroxidase; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Reactive Oxygen Species; Superoxide Dismutase; Weight Loss