JP2006117687A - Health food for combustion of body fat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a health food which promotes the combustion of accumulated body fats and dietary fats, promotes the expression of a hepatic β-oxidation gene, and is useful for maintaining the health of bodies. <P>SOLUTION: This health food having a function for fat combustion and the like contains non-epicatechin compounds and epicatechin compounds in non-polymer catechin compounds as active ingredients. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a health food having an accumulation fat burning action, a dietary fat burning action and a liver β-oxidation gene expression action useful for maintaining health.

  Fat is an important nutrient along with protein and sugar, and is particularly useful as an energy source and is high in calories (9 Kcal / g), promotes obesity and causes problems such as lifestyle-related diseases. Diets that use a lot of fat are delicious, and modern people are accustomed to such diets, and this is a national problem in advanced countries that are in a fed state, coupled with an increase in medical expenses. . Against this background, in recent years, interest in maintenance and promotion of health and prevention and treatment of diseases has increased, and many studies have been conducted on the relationship between fat and obesity and lifestyle-related diseases.

  The subject of research that has been conducted conventionally relates to fatty acids constituting triglycerides, which are the main components of fat. For example, nutritionally essential substances are linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and linolenic acid, and these fatty acids are used in vivo as constituents of biological membranes or as raw materials for eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, etc.). It is clear that it will be used.

From the viewpoint of anti-obesity, oil substitutes and non-absorbable oils and fats have been developed. Among them, sucrose fatty acid polyester (Patent Document 1) is a typical example. Since this is excreted without being absorbed in the body, the calorie derived from fat is 0 Kcal / g.
However, there are concerns about problems such as anal leakage and fat-soluble vitamin absorption inhibition, and it cannot be a source of essential fatty acids. In 1996, FDA used a semi-solid or solid fatty acid sucrose polyester with a melting point of 37.8 ° C to 71.1 ° C to which a certain amount of vitamins A, D, E and K were added, only for salty snacks. It is permitted with the condition. This is for preventing anal leakage and inhibiting absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. In addition, medium chain fatty acid triglycerides (MCT) are known to be non-accumulating in the body, but have poor heat stability. Similar effects are disclosed in conjugated linoleic acid, fish oil and perilla oil (see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Obesity is induced when the amount of energy consumed exceeds the amount of energy consumed. Using fat substitutes and non-absorbable fats and fats to suppress the amount of fat absorbed, that is, to suppress the amount of energy intake, the addition of the third component promotes the metabolism of fat inherent in the living body. Some try to prevent obesity. For example, in the former, a method of suppressing fat absorption by using an oil / fat substitute or a non-absorbable oil / fat has been attempted (Patent Document 1), but safety such as anal leakage, absorption inhibition of fat-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, etc. There are concerns about issues. In the latter, Oolong tea polyphenol, capsaicin, hydroxycitric acid contained in Garcinia, etc. are known. Oolong tea polyphenols, when given to high-fat diet rats, increase fat excretion, together with the activation of lipolytic enzyme lipase, capsaicin works on the brain, promotes the secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal glands, Hydroxycitric acid is also said to inhibit fat synthesis. It has been suggested that plant-derived components such as capsaicin and caffeine promote fat metabolism and promote fat degradation (Non-Patent Documents 3 and 4), but they are sufficient for effects on humans at the actual use level. Has not been properly verified. In any case, the effect cannot be obtained sufficiently at the actual use level.

US Pat. No. 3,600,196 Lipids. 32, 853 (1997) J. Agric. Food Chem., 46, 1225 (1998) Yoshida et al., J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol 1988 Dec .; 34 (6) 587-594 Yoshioka et al., J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol 1990 Apr .; 36 (2) 173-178

  The present invention relates to an accumulation fat burning action for burning fat stored in the body, a dietary fat burning action for burning eaten fat, and a liver in which expression of β-oxidation-related molecules in the liver is induced to activate fat metabolism. It is intended to provide a health food that expresses β-oxidation gene expression and also has the effect of burning fat and reducing fat accumulation in the abdomen, and can be continuously consumed with peace of mind everyday in a normal diet.

  The present inventor found that catechins contained in green tea, black tea, oolong tea, etc. promote the burning of accumulated fat, promote the burning of dietary fat, and further promote the expression of liver β-oxidation gene I found that there is an effect.

  In the present invention, the content weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi-catechins in non-polymer catechins is 10:90 or more, containing non-epi-catechins and epi-catechins as active ingredients, A health food having a function of burning fat is provided. In the present invention, the weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi-catechins in non-polymer catechins is 10:90 or more, and contains non-epi-catechins and epi-catechins as active ingredients And providing a health food having a function of reducing fat, activating fat metabolism or decomposing fat. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for producing health foods having functions such as fat burning.

  Catechins contained in green tea, black tea, oolong tea and the like are physiologically beneficial in suppressing cholesterol elevation (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-156614), α-amylase activity inhibition (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-133828), and the like. However, it is not known about effects such as promoting burning of accumulated fat, promoting burning of dietary fat, and promoting expression of liver β-oxidation gene.

  By taking non-polymer catechins, burning of accumulated fat is promoted, burning of dietary fat is promoted, expression of liver β-oxidation gene is promoted, and it is useful for maintaining the health of the body.

  Non-polymer catechins (hereinafter referred to as catechins) used in the present invention are specifically non-epimeric non-polymer catechins (A) such as catechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate and the like. It is a general term that includes epi-non-polymer catechins (B) such as epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate.

  The catechins used in the present invention include green teas such as sencha, gyokuro, and tencha, which are made from tea leaves obtained from the genus Camellia, for example, C. sinensis and C. assamica, Yabutaki species or hybrids thereof. It is obtained by extraction with water or hot water from tea leaves of fermented teas such as darling, assam, and Sri Lanka called semi-fermented teas such as iron kannon, color seeds, golden katsura and wushuiwa tea called oolong tea. About the method of extracting tea, it carries out by conventional methods, such as stirring extraction. Moreover, you may add organic acids or organic acid salts, such as sodium ascorbate, to the water at the time of extraction previously. Moreover, you may use together the method of extracting in so-called non-oxidative atmosphere, ventilating inert gas, such as boiling deaeration and nitrogen gas, and removing dissolved oxygen.

  Furthermore, you may concentrate and use what was extracted. The concentrate of tea extract is obtained by concentrating an extract extracted from tea leaves with hot water or a water-soluble organic solvent, and is disclosed in JP-A-59-219384, JP-A-4-20589, This refers to those prepared by the method exemplified in detail in Kaihei 5-260907, JP-A-5-306279, and the like. Commercially available Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd. “Polyphenone”, ITO EN Co., Ltd. “Theafranc”, Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. “Sunphenon”, Suntory Co., Ltd. “Sun Oolong” and the like. In addition, catechins can be used from other raw materials, column purified products, and chemically synthesized products. As a form of the concentrate of a tea extract here, various things, such as solid, aqueous solution, and a slurry form, are mentioned.

  These catechins are non-polymeric and dissolved in tea extracts, and solids that are adsorbed and contained in fine tea powder. The catechins used in the present invention are preferably those obtained by dissolving an extract concentrate obtained by filtering a tea extract or the like and drying.

  Since polyphenols increase as the state of fermentation of the tea leaves before extraction progresses, when adding concentrates of various tea extracts to water or tea extract, a concentrate of green tea extract is particularly preferred.

  In tea leaves, most of the catechins exist as epiforms, but change to non-epiforms which are stereoisomers by treatment with heat, acid, alkali or the like. Regarding the difference in properties between epi and non-epi, even in the same molecular formula, non-epi has a significant decrease in melting point compared to epi, and depending on the component, depending on the mixing ratio of epi and non-epi, Further, the melting point may drop. However, little study has been made on the difference in functionality between non-epi and epi.

  For non-epimeric catechins, extract from green tea, semi-fermented tea or fermented tea or concentrate of tea extract is made into an aqueous solution and, for example, heat-treated at 40 to 140 ° C. for 0.1 minutes to 120 hours. Can be obtained. The pH of the solution is preferably 4.5 or more because of the ease of producing non-epimeric catechins. Moreover, you may use the concentrate of the tea extract with high non-epimer catechin content. They may be used alone or in combination.

  As the content of catechins in the total polyphenol in the preparation, the ratio of (A) + (B) to the polyphenol is preferably 50 to 100% by weight, more preferably 60 to 98% by weight, particularly Preferably, it is 70 to 95% by weight.

  Further, the content weight ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) is (B) / (A) = 0.5 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, particularly 3 to 15. Within this range, effects such as promoting burning of accumulated fat, promoting burning of dietary fat, and promoting expression of liver β-oxidation gene are clearly expressed.

  Further, 30 to 98% by weight, preferably 40 to 90% by weight of the catechin content is selected from epigallocatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and gallocatechin. It is preferable because it has a better taste and can be used without difficulty. Here, one or more types of epigallocatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and gallocatechin are contained, but usually all are contained.

  The daily dose for adults for exerting the effects of accumulation fat burning action, dietary fat burning action and liver β-oxidation gene expression action of the present invention is 300 to 2500 mg as non-polymer catechins, preferably It is preferably 400 to 1300 mg, more preferably 450 to 1300 mg, particularly preferably 500 to 800 mg.

  Catechin has such a strong action of decomposing fat, and is preferably a health food contained in daily foods, particularly in foods containing fats and oils.

  In this case, fats and oils include vegetable oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, rice oil, perilla oil, corn oil, animal oils such as beef tallow and fish oil, or hardened oils, fractionated oils, random transesterified oils, etc. Can be mentioned. Moreover, combined use with fats and oils with high diglyceride content is also preferable.

  The intake ratio of catechins to fats and oils is preferably 1 to 200, preferably 5 to 150, particularly 30 to 120, with respect to catechins 1.

  When the present invention is used, from the viewpoint of the amount of catechins absorbed, taking the amount of catechins per day with a small number of times increases the blood concentration of catechins and facilitates the action of catechins.

  When the present invention is used as a pharmaceutical product, for example, oral preparations such as powders, granules, capsules, pills, tablets and other solid preparations, liquids such as liquids, suspensions and emulsions are exemplified. In addition to the oil and fat composition described above, this oral administration agent includes excipients, disintegrants, binders, lubricants, surfactants, alcohols, water, water-soluble high-concentration agents that are generally used depending on the form of the oral administration agent. Molecules, sweeteners, flavoring agents, acidulants and the like can be added for production. Catechins are generally contained in 0.1 to 100% by weight, particularly 1 to 80% by weight, although they vary depending on the use and form of the drug in pharmaceuticals for oral administration.

  When using this invention as a foodstuff, it can be used for the foodstuff which contains fats and oils as a part of foodstuff. Examples of such fat-containing foods include health foods that exhibit specific functions to promote health. Specifically, capsules, tablets, powders, granules, breads, cakes, cookies and other bakery foods, sauces, soups, dressings, mayonnaises, creams, chocolate, candy containing such fats and oils And confectionery and beverages.

  As a preparation, the amount of catechins in the preparation is 0.05 to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.3% by weight, more preferably 0. It is preferable to contain 12 to 0.3% by weight, particularly 0.13 to 0.16% by weight. This amount is preferable in terms of the number of administrations and effects, since there is no bitterness, astringency and astringency of catechins, and a large amount can be easily taken.

  The content of catechins in the beverage is 0.092 to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.26% by weight, more preferably 0.12 to 0.26% by weight, particularly 0.128 to 0%. .16% by weight is preferred. This amount is preferable because it allows easy intake of a large amount of catechins but does not cause intense bitterness, astringency and strong astringency. Moreover, it is preferable that it is 0.092% by weight or more because it provides a taste with an effect when drinking.

  In the case of a beverage, it is preferable to increase the number of non-epimeric catechins because long-term stability of the color tone is achieved. From this point of view, the content weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi catechins is 10:90 or more, preferably 20:80 or more, more preferably 30:70 or more, most preferably 40:60 or more as a beverage. In terms of storage stability.

  In addition, it is preferable that catechins in beverages exist in a dissolved state because they are easy to drink in terms of taste and throat, and have high compatibility.

  The ratio of the catechin content derived from the concentrate of the tea extract to the total content of the non-polymer catechins is 5 to 100%, more preferably 10 to 100%, particularly 20 to 100%. Is preferred. When the tea extract and the tea extract concentrate are used in combination, not only can the amount of catechin be adjusted easily, but particularly within this range, intense bitterness, astringency and strong astringency will not occur. Even when stored for a long time, the color tone is stable, the transparency of the appearance is maintained, and the flavor is not impaired, which is preferable.

  The pH of the beverage is preferably 3 to 7, preferably 4 to 7 and particularly preferably 5 to 7 at 25 ° C. in terms of taste and chemical stability of the non-polymer catechins.

  These catechins provide a wide range of non-polymer catechin-containing beverages by combining with other beverages such as fruit juice / fruit beverages, coffee beverages, oolong tea beverages, green tea beverages, tea beverages, barley tea beverages, vegetable beverages, etc. Is possible. For example, it can also be suitably added to carbonated beverages, beverages containing fruit extracts, juices containing vegetable extracts, near water, sports beverages, diet beverages, etc., which are soft drinks. In addition, a form in which an insoluble compound such as a fine powder of tea leaves is intentionally suspended can be made according to consumer preference.

  Among these, a prescription in the form of a beverage that does not require an inherent sweetener such as green tea, oolong tea, and black tea is particularly preferable. Moreover, when using a sweetener for black tea or the like, it is preferable to use a low-calorie artificial sweetener.

  In beverages, in addition to non-polymer catechins, ingredients that may be added in the formulation include antioxidants, fragrances, various esters, organic acids, organic acid salts, inorganic acids, inorganic acid salts, inorganic salts, dyes , Emulsifiers, preservatives, seasonings, sweeteners, acidulants, fruit juice extracts, vegetable extracts, nectar extracts, pH adjusters, quality stabilizers, etc., alone or in combination good.

  When a beverage is made into a packaged beverage, the container used is a molded container (so-called PET bottle) mainly composed of polyethylene terephthalate, a metal can, a paper container combined with a metal foil or a plastic film, as with a general beverage. It can be provided in the usual form such as a bottle. The container-packed drink here means a drink that can be taken without dilution.

  Container-packed beverages are stipulated in the Food Sanitation Law if they can be sterilized by heating after the container is completely filled with liquid, such as metal cans, or after deaeration and / or nitrogen replacement. Manufactured under the specified sterilization conditions. For PET bottles and paper containers that cannot be sterilized by retort, sterilization conditions equivalent to the above, for example, high-temperature and short-time sterilization with a plate heat exchanger, etc. The method is adopted. Moreover, you may mix | blend another component with the filled container under aseptic conditions. Furthermore, after sterilization by heating under acidic conditions, the pH may be returned to neutrality under aseptic conditions, or after sterilization by heating under neutral conditions, the pH may be returned to acidic conditions under aseptic conditions.

  The intake of catechins necessary for reducing abdominal fat is 200 mg or more, more preferably 400 mg or more, still more preferably 500 mg or more, particularly preferably 800 mg or more per day for an adult.

As a beverage period for reducing abdominal fat, a period exceeding 8 weeks is preferable, and 12 weeks or more is particularly preferable. When using the present invention, in view of the intake amount of catechins, it is preferable to take the amount of catechins per day in a small number of times because the blood concentration of catechins becomes high and the action of catechins is easily expressed.

  Burning body fat refers to burned calories calculated by measurement based on lipid-derived energy consumption. This lipid-derived energy consumption is defined by the measurement method according to the method of Zuntz et al. (Pflugers Arch. Pheysiol. 83, 557-571 (1901)). In addition, fat burns in the body through two routes: one that is directly consumed as energy after being taken in by meals, and one that is once accumulated as fat tissue in the body and then consumed as energy. Of these, the focus is on accumulative fat burning. In this test, for example, in order to eliminate as much as possible the effects of energy consumption derived from meals, the contents of lunch the day before the test should be the same menu every time, and meal restrictions from the end of lunch until the end of measurement should be applied. Good.

  The intake of catechins necessary for burning body fat is 200 mg or more, more preferably 400 mg or more, still more preferably 500 mg or more, and particularly preferably 800 mg or more per day for an adult.

The beverage filtered through a catechins measurement filter (0.8 μm) was used with a high performance liquid chromatograph (model SCL-10AVP) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, and a packed column for octadecyl group-introduced liquid chromatograph L-column TM ODS (4. 6 mmφ × 250 mm: manufactured by the Chemical Substance Evaluation Research Organization), and a gradient method was performed at a column temperature of 35 ° C. The mobile phase A solution was a distilled aqueous solution containing 0.1 mol / L of acetic acid, the B solution was an acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 mol / L of acetic acid, the sample injection amount was 20 μL, and the UV detector wavelength was 280 nm. .

  The X-ray conditions at the time of imaging for obtaining the visceral fat area (abdominal fat) obtained at CT tomography of the umbilicus are, for example, tube voltage = 120 kVp, mAs value = 150 or more, preferably 250 mAs or more. , Window level −10, 0, or +10, with a window width of 400, the adipose tissue has a CT value in the range of 15 to 70 from the umbilical CT image, visceral fat measurement PC software Fat Scan Ver. 2 (N2 System Co., Ltd .: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture). The window width here is the number of resolutions, and the smaller this value, the greater the enhancement of black and white. The window level is normally 0, and the minus area of the window level is a black area and the plus area is a white area. These values may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the respiratory phase of the patient condition may be either inspiratory or expiratory position, but it is preferable to capture in the expiratory position in order to reduce the influence of the respiratory phase on the fat area measurement during CT imaging It is good.

Example 1 Promotion of Combustion of Dietary Fat in Catechins The burning of internal fat in green tea catechins was measured according to the following method.
(1) Animals used: SD male rats (Nippon Charlbrive Co., Ltd.), 5 weeks old, weighing 116.0 ± 5.5 g
(2) Rearing: room temperature 23 ± 2 ° C., humidity 55 ± 10%, lighting 7-19 o'clock, drinking water was freely given as tap water.
(3) Feed composition: Triglycerol 10% by weight
Casein 20
Cellulose 4
Mineral ¹⁾ 3.5
Vitamin ²⁾ 1
α-potato starch 61.5
1) Mineral Mixture AIN76 (Made by Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.)
2) Vitamin Mixture AIN76 (made by Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.)
(4) Green tea water extract used:
Catechin 33.2% by weight
Ingredients Catechin 2.1% by weight
Epicatechin 9.9
Gallocatechin 6.6
Epigallocatechin 31.0
Catechin gallate 0.9
Epicatechin gallate 10.9
Gallocatechin gallate 1.5
Epigallocatechin gallate 37.1
Total polyphenols 42.0% by weight
Caffeine 5.3% by weight
(5) Administration of green tea catechins (i) Single administration: Rats (tea catechin group: n = 8, physiological saline group: n = 8) were allowed to freely feed the above feed for 2 weeks, then in the morning 9 From time to time, it was transferred to a glass metabolic cage (Metabolica MC-ST, former Sugiyama Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.), and then all the exhaled air for 1 hour was collected in a 1 mol / L sodium hydroxide aqueous solution. The amount of exhaled air collected in the metabolic cage was 350 mL / min. After collecting 1 hour exhalation, 5 wt% fat emulsion containing ¹³ C-tripalmitin was orally administered to rats using a feeding tube (Surfee Feeding Tube Fr. 3.5, Terumo Corporation). did. Thereafter, all exhaled air for 2 hours was collected in a 1 mol / L sodium hydroxide aqueous solution. Further, green tea catechins dissolved in water were orally administered as a catechin in a feeding tube so that the body weight was 100 mg / Kg body weight, and 2 hours of exhalation was collected up to 6 hours after ¹³ C-tripalmitin administration. . Expiratory concentration stopped feeding and was given free drinking water only. For the collection of carbon dioxide in the collected exhaled air, 1 mol / L sodium hydroxide was neutralized with ammonium chloride, and then calcium chloride was added to precipitate calcium carbonate, which was used for measurement of ¹³ C content. Provided.
(Ii) Long-term administration: Rats are divided into the above feed (normal diet group) and a feed (green tea catechin group) in which 1% by weight of α-potato starch in the feed is replaced with a green tea water extract, and each feed is divided into 2 weeks. After feeding and rearing, exhalation was collected without giving green tea catechins during the measurement, as in (i).
(6) ^{13 C} 13 ^C- dioxide calcium carbonate was separated from the quantified exhalation using a mass spectrometer (ANCASLPDZ Europa), using Pee Dee Belemnite Limestone a (ISOTEC Inc.) as a standard, Kureizo method (Craig Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 12 , 133-149 (1957)). The difference between expiration for 1 hour before ¹³ C-tripalmitin administration and 2 hours after administration was calculated.

Table 1 shows the results of the abundance of ¹³ C in carbon dioxide 4 to 6 hours after administration of ¹³ C-tripalmitin at the time of single administration of green tea catechin, and 4 results after administration of ¹³ C-tripalmitin at the time of long-term administration of green tea catechin. The results of the abundance ratio of ¹³ C in carbon dioxide at ˜6 hours are shown in Table 2.

As shown in Tables 1 and 2, an increase in the abundance of ¹³ C-carbon dioxide was observed in both single and long-term administrations of green tea catechins, and the oxidative degradation of orally administered fat was promoted.

Example 2 Promotion of Combustion of Accumulated Body Fats of Catechins (1) Animals Used / Raising: Same as Example 1.
(2) Feed: Casein 20.0% by weight
DL-methionine 0.3
Potato starch 15.0
Sucrose 50.0
Cellulose 5.0
Corn oil 5.0
Mineral ³⁾ 3.5
Vitamin ³⁾ 1.0
Choline hydrogen tartrate 0.2
3) Same as Example 1

(3) Green tea catechins: the same as in Example 1.
(4) Administration method: The rats are divided into a green tea catechins administration group and a physiological saline administration group, fasted for 4 or 18 hours, and then the green tea catechins are dissolved in physiological saline to give a feeding tube as 300 mg / kg BW. Used orally under anesthesia.
(5) Measurement of oxygen consumption, calculated amount of oxygen dioxide and calorie: Oxygen consumption and calculated amount of carbon dioxide were measured by Oxymax system (Columbus). Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide release were measured every 10 minutes for 4 hours after administration. Four rats were measured per day, and two each of the tea catechin administration group and the physiological saline administration group were measured. In order to eliminate the influence of the chamber (volume 10.6 L), the chambers of each group were replaced each time. The air flow rate to the chamber was 2 L / min, and the air sampling flow rate from the chamber was 1 L / min. The amount of heat was calculated according to the following formula.
Heat (kcal / min) = CV x VO2 (mL / min) x 0.001
CV (cal / mL) = 3.815 + 1.232 × RQ RQ: Respiration quotient Also, the calorific value of lipid and carbohydrate at each time is calculated according to the method of Zuntz et al. (Pflugers Arch. Pheysiol. 83 , 557-571 (1901)) did.
(6) Statistical test method: The obtained numerical value is shown as an average value ± standard deviation, and a significant difference test was performed by Studnt's t-test for comparison between groups. Note that p <0.05 was considered significant.

Each integrated value for 4 hours after administration is shown in Table 3.

In the fasted state, the total oxygen consumption and the total energy consumption were significantly increased by the administration of green tea catechins, and the burning of accumulated body fat was promoted.

Example 3 Promotion of Hepatic β-Oxidation Gene Expression of Catechins The liver β-oxidation gene by catechins was measured according to the following method.
(1) Animal used: 7 weeks old, C57BL / 6J male mouse (Japan Ilea Co., Ltd.)
(2) Rearing: room temperature 23 ± 2 ° C., humidity 55 ± 10%, illumination 7-19 o'clock, deionized water was freely given.
(3) Feed:
Control group High fat group Green tea catechin group
Oil ⁴⁾ 5.0% by weight 20.0% by weight 20.0% by weight
Lard ⁵⁾ -10.0 10.0
Sucrose-13.0 13.0
Casein 20.0 20.0 20.0
Cellulose powder 4.0 4.0 4.0
Mineral ⁶⁾ 3.5 3.5 3.5
Vitamin ⁶⁾ 1.0 1.0 1.0
Starch 66.5 28.5 28.0
Green tea catechin − − 0.5
4) A mixture of safflower oil, rapeseed oil and sesame oil
Fatty acid composition Oleic acid (36.0% by weight), linoleic acid (46.7% by weight) α-linolenic acid (7.5% by weight), palmitic acid (5.7% by weight), etc.
5) Fatty acid composition Oleic acid (39.7 wt%), linoleic acid (9.8 wt%) Palmitic acid (25.3 wt%), stearic acid (16.5 wt%), etc.
6) Same as Example 1.

(4) Collection of blood and visceral fat and tissue for gene diffraction: A mouse fasted for 12 hours 4 months after the start of breeding was immediately opened under ether anesthesia, blood was collected from the abdominal vena cava, and visceral fat ( Vice testicular fat) was collected and weighed. In addition, the liver tissue for gene analysis was immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen after collection in Isogen (manufactured by Wako Co., Ltd.) and stored at −80 ° C. until used for the experiment. The blood was centrifuged after collection, and the plasma was stored frozen at −80 ° C. until analysis.
(5) Measurement of plasma glucose, leptin and insulin amount: Plasma glucose concentration was analyzed by enzymatic method using Glucose Test Wako (manufactured by Wako Co., Ltd.). Leptin and insulin concentrations were measured using mouse leptin EIA kit or mouse insulin EIA kit (manufactured by Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.).
(6) Extraction of RNA and measurement of mRNA expression level of liver β-oxidation-related enzyme: Total RNA was purified using Isogen (Wako Co., Ltd.). The obtained RNA (20 μg / lane) was subjected to agarose electrophoresis, transferred to a Hybond-N + (Amersham) nylon membrane, and UV-fixed to prepare a filter. Next, after prehybridization was performed at 42 ° C. for 6 hours in a prehybridization solution (50 wt% formamide, 5 × SSPE, 0.5 wt% SDS, 10 wt% Denhardt'ssolution, 40 μg / mL denatured salmon sperm DNA). 32P-labeled ACO or MCAD probe was added and hybridized at 42 ° C. for 15-18 hours.
The filter was washed with 2 × SSC / 0.1 wt% SDS at room temperature and then washed with 0.1 wt% SSC / 0.1 wt% SDS at 42 ° C. The obtained filter was subjected to autoradiography using a BAS2000 bioimage analyzer (Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), and the radioactivity of each band was measured. Similarly, 28S ribosomal RNA was also hybridized as a control gene, and the radioactivity of ACO and MCAD mRNA was corrected with the radioactivity of 28S rRNA (Funasico Co., Ltd.) to obtain each expression level. The cDNA probes were obtained by PCR amplification products of ACO (Genbank # AF006688, nt 218-879: 661 bp) and MCAD (Genbank # J02791, nt 671-1199: 528 bp) with Ready-To-Go DNA labeling beads (Amersham) and 32P. -Labeled with dCTP (Amersham) and used.

  Table 4 shows the measurement results of the body fat accumulation inhibitory action.

  By taking catechins for a long time, the intake energy is not easily accumulated as body fat, and it is difficult to get obese.

  Table 5 shows the results of measuring fasting plasma glucose, leptin, and insulin concentrations after ingesting each feed for 4 months.

  Plasma glucose and insulin were not significantly different between groups, but high-fat diet-dependent leptin was significantly suppressed by ingestion of green tea catechins.

  Table 6 shows the expression levels of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) mRNA, which is a peroxisome β-oxidase, and medium-chain dcyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) mRNA, which is a mitochondrial β-oxidase.

  Ingestion of catechins induced expression of β-oxidation-related molecules in the liver and activated lipid metabolism.

Example 4 Anti-obesity effect of catechins (1) Animal used: 7 weeks old, C57BL / 6J male mouse (CLEA Japan, Inc.)
(2) Rearing: room temperature 23 ± 2 ° C., humidity 55 ± 10%, lighting 7-19 o'clock (3) feed: content of each component in 100 g of feed (g)
Low fat diet High fat diet High fat diet + High fat diet +
Catechins (A) Catechins (B)
Casein 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0
α-potato starch 66.5 28.5 28.4 28.0
Sucrose-13.0 13.0 13.0
Fats and oils ⁷⁾ 5.0 20.0 20.0 20.0
Lard-10.0 10.0 10.0
Cellulose 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Mineral ⁸⁾ 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Vitamin ⁸⁾ 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Catechin ⁹⁾ --0.1 0.5
7) Safflower oil: rapeseed oil: egoma oil = 50: 45: 5 (weight ratio)
8) Same as Example 1
9) Analytical value of green tea catechins
Catechin 0.3% by weight
Epicatechin 0.7
Gallocatechin <0.1
Epigallocatechin 0.4
Catechin gallate 1.0
Epicatechin gallate 17.7
Gallocatechin gallate 6.3
Epigallocatechin gallate 73.6

Mice with anti-obesity action of green tea catechins were divided into 4 groups (5 animals / group), and the feed having the above composition was freely consumed for 4 weeks, and deionized water was freely given as drinking water. After weighing 4 weeks later, fasted for 12 hours, the mouse was laparotomized under ether anesthesia, 1 mL of blood was collected from the abdominal vena cava, and visceral fat (cold testicular fat, retroperitoneal fat, intestinal fat, perirenal fat) was collected. Collected.

  Table 7 shows the measurement results.

  Table 8 shows the measurement results of visceral fat mass.

  By taking catechins, the visceral fat amount decreased and an anti-obesity effect was observed.

Example 5 Long-term intake of catechins Normal weight of obese 27-47 years old to obese (once) 23 healthy boys were divided into two groups, and catechins 118.5 mg (LDC group), 483.0 mg in 500 mL beverages, respectively. Beverages containing (HDC group) were allowed to drink 500 mL at dinner every day for 12 weeks. The day before the measurement, alcohol was banned, dinner was finished by 21:00, and after that, food and drink other than water were prohibited until blood collection, and blood was collected from the vein on the side of the upper arm.

The content of catechins and the like in 500 mL of beverage was as follows.
LDC group HDC group
Catechin 5.5mg 6.5mg
Epicatechin 5.5mg 8.0mg
Gallocatechin 22.0 22.0
Epigallocatechin 15.5 17.0
Catechin gallate 4.5 8.0
Epicatechin gallate 7.5 72.0
Gallocatechin gallate 26.0 49.0
Epigallocatechin gallate 32.0 300.5
Catechins 118.5 483.0
Polyphenols 180.0 625.0
Caffeine 75.0 75.5

(1) Body measurement and body fat rate The body fat rate was measured using a body fat meter (TANITA BODY FATANALYZER TBF-401, Tanita Co., Ltd.) using the lower limb impedance method. In addition, abdominal CT scan imaging was performed between two days before and after physical measurement. Abdominal fat accumulation was determined from umbilical tomographic images during expiration.

  Table 9 shows the measurement results.

(2) Serum and plasma Serum and plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, enzymatic methods are used for glucose, RIA2 antibody method is used for insulin, and LPIA method (latex near infrared immunity is used for total PAI-1 The blood concentration of each item was measured using a turbidimetric method.

  Table 10 shows the results.

  Anti-obesity effect in humans was observed by taking catechins.

Example 6 Long-term intake (2)
Table 12 shows the results of preparing beverages having the composition described in Table 11 and measuring the content (mg) of non-polymer catechins.

  Judging from the Body Mass Index (BMI) according to the Japan Obesity Society standards, 27 normal males aged 26 to 52 who belong to normal weight to obesity (once) are controlled so that the BMI and waist circumference are almost the same. The test was divided into 3 groups: group n = 9, test beverage 1 intake group n = 10, test beverage 2 intake group n = 8, and a 12-week intake test was conducted using a double blind. The test substance was ingested in the form of 340 mL or 500 mL Oolong tea-like beverage at dinner every day.

  Abdominal visceral fat was evaluated by CT tomography of the umbilical region at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after the start of beverage intake and after the start of intake. The X-ray conditions at the time of imaging were tube voltage = 120 kVp, mAs value = 250 mAs, and film processing was performed at a window level of −10, 0, or +10 and a window width of 400. From the obtained umbilical CT image, visceral fat measurement PC software Fat Scan Ver. 2 (N2 System Co., Ltd.) was used to determine the visceral fat area and determine the fat mass.

  Table 13 shows the measurement results. Both test drinks 1 and 2 intake groups had excellent effects of reducing visceral fat area and reducing fatty acid accumulation.

Example 7 Long-term intake (3)
Table 15 shows the results of preparing beverages having the composition shown in Table 14 and measuring the content (mg) of non-polymer catechins.

The subjects were 38 healthy boys (BMI 24.3 to 34.6 kg / m ² ) from 24 to 49 years old. The test substance is ingested in the form of 340 mL of oolong tea or green tea drink at dinner every day, and the control group (tea catechin amount 130.3 mg) and the green tea drink group (tea catechin amount 541) so that the subjects' BMI is almost the same. 0.0 mg) and Oolong tea beverage group (tea catechins amount 541.9 mg), and the test was carried out for 12 weeks with a double blind.

  Abdominal visceral fat was subjected to CT tomography of the trans-umbilical region under tube voltage = 120 kVp, mAs value = 150 mAs X-ray conditions before the start of drink intake and 12 weeks after the start of intake, and the fat tissue was in the range of CT values of 150-70 The visceral fat area was determined and used as the visceral fat mass.

  Table 16 shows the measurement results. The green tea drink and oolong tea drink ingestion groups were both excellent in reducing the visceral fat area at the umbilical section and reducing the accumulation of abdominal fat.

Example 8 The test was conducted on 10 healthy boys with an average age of fat burning of 36.4 years. As a control, oolong tea containing tea catechin equivalent to a commercially available product (containing 167 mg of non-polymer catechins) was used, and the tea extract was dissolved in the control drink as a test beverage, and the content of non-polymer catechins was 537 mg (test beverage 3) And 900 mg (test beverage 4) of beverages were used. All of these were prepared at 350 mL. Moreover, in order to clarify the influence of non-polymer catechins, the beverage used in the test was prepared, and the influence of caffeine alone was also examined. A single-dose test of beverages containing non-polymer catechins was conducted once a week, and the test period was 4 weeks. In order to reduce the influence of energy consumption derived from meals, the content of lunch on the day before the test was the same for each menu, and intake other than water was prohibited from the end of lunch (12:00) to the end of measurement. On the day of the test, water was consumed up to 500 mL each from the time of getting up to the end of the measurement. The test starts at 9:00 on the next day, and after taking the test beverage, wait until the end of the test in an environmental test room of constant temperature and humidity of room temperature 26.5 ± 0.1 ° C and relative humidity 52 ± 1RH% for exercise and work Prohibited. Resting in the state of lying on the bed was ensured 30 minutes before the measurement, and then the expiration was measured for 10 minutes up to 5 hours after ingestion of the non-polymer catechins.

  The contents of non-polymer catechins and caffeine in each beverage were as follows (Table 17).

The breath analysis used the apparatus of Oxymax (made by Columbus). Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide excretion, respiratory quotient, and energy consumption were calculated by taking in exhaled air and atmospheric air, and calculating the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the air and the difference between oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the exhaled air. The energy consumption, lipid-derived energy consumption, and carbohydrate-derived energy consumption were calculated by the following formulas. Definition:
CV: Energy per liter of oxygen (Kcal / L)
RQ: respiratory quotient oxygen / carbon dioxide (mol / mol)
O ₂ : Oxygen consumption (L / min)
Correlation between CV and RQ CV = 3.815 + 1.232 × RQ
Correlation formula of energy consumption and CV and O ₂ A day is 1440 minutes. Therefore, energy consumption (kcal / day) = CV × O ₂ × 1440 Further, lipid-derived energy consumption reflecting fat combustion was performed by the method of Zuntz et al. The measurement results are shown in Tables 18-20.

  When drinking beverages that have been subjected to sterilization treatment containing non-polymer catechins of test beverages 3 and 4, oxygen consumption, energy consumption, and lipid-derived energy consumption are significantly different from control beverages and caffeine water. Recognized, non-polymer catechins promoted body fat burning.

Claims (20)

The content weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi-catechins in non-polymer catechins is 10:90 or more, containing non-epi-catechins and epi-catechins as active ingredients, Functional health food. The health food according to claim 1, which is a diet drink having a function of burning fat. The content weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi-catechins in non-polymer catechins is 10:90 or more, contains non-epi-catechins and epi-catechins as active ingredients, and reduces fat reduction Functional health food. The health food according to claim 3, which is a diet drink having a function of reducing fat. The content weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi-catechins in non-polymer catechins is 10:90 or more, contains non-epi catechins and epi-catechins as active ingredients, and activates fat metabolism Health food with the function of. The health food according to claim 5, which is a diet drink having a function of activating fat metabolism. The content weight ratio of non-epi catechins and epi-catechins in non-polymer catechins is 10:90 or more, contains non-epi-catechins and epi-catechins as active ingredients, and decomposes fat Functional health food. The health food according to claim 7, which is a diet drink having a function of decomposing fat. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for the production of foods having the function of burning fat. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for the production of foods having a function of reducing fat. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for the production of a food having a function of activating fat metabolism. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for the production of foods having a function of degrading fat. The use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the fat is dietary fat. The use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the fat is internal fat. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for the function of fat burning. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for the function of fat reduction. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for fat metabolism activation. Use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins for degrading fat. The use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the fat is dietary fat. The use of non-epimeric catechins and epimeric catechins in non-polymer catechins according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the fat is internal fat.