Effects of novel capsinoid treatment on fatness and energy metabolism in humans: possible pharmacogenetic implications

Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jan;89(1):45-50. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26561. Epub 2008 Dec 3.

Abstract

Background: Capsinoids from the Capsicum genus of plants are nonpungent capsaicin-related substances with effects on metabolism and body weight in animals.

Objectives: Our objectives were to explore the safety and efficacy of capsinoids taken orally (6 mg/d) for weight loss, fat loss, and change in metabolism and to examine whether candidate genes are predictors of capsinoid response.

Design: This was a 12-wk, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study. Eligibility criteria included a body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) of 25-35. Body weight was measured, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, indirect calorimetry (men only), and genotyping were conducted.

Results: Forty women and 40 men with a mean (+/- SD) age of 42 +/- 8 y and BMI of 30.4 +/- 2.4 were randomly assigned to a capsinoid or placebo group. Capsinoids were well tolerated. Mean (+/- SD) weight change was 0.9 +/- 3.1 and 0.5 +/- 2.4 kg in the capsinoid and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.86). There was no significant group difference in total change in adiposity, but abdominal adiposity decreased more (P = 0.049) in the capsinoid group (-1.11 +/- 1.83%) than in the placebo group (-0.18 +/- 1.94%), and this change correlated with the change in body weight (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001). Changes in resting energy expenditure did not differ significantly between groups, but fat oxidation was higher at the end of the study in the capsinoid group (least-squares mean difference: 21.0 mg/min; P = 0.06). Of 13 genetic variants tested, TRPV1 Val585Ile and UCP2 -866 G/A correlated significantly with change in abdominal adiposity.

Conclusions: Treatment with 6 mg/d capsinoids orally appeared to be safe and was associated with abdominal fat loss. Capsinoid ingestion was associated with an increase in fat oxidation that was nearly significant. We identified 2 common genetic variants that may be predictors of therapeutic response.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Fat / drug effects*
  • Abdominal Fat / metabolism
  • Absorptiometry, Photon / methods
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Body Composition / drug effects
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Calorimetry, Indirect / methods
  • Capsaicin / analogs & derivatives
  • Capsaicin / pharmacology
  • Capsicum / chemistry*
  • Diet, Reducing
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / diet therapy
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Capsaicin