Tea's Effect on Atherosclerosis Pilot Study (TEA Study)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00120107
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: July 15, 2005
• Last Update Posted: March 14, 2017
• Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Collaborator: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Kenneth Mukamal, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The researchers propose a pilot study of the effect of long-term tea intake on atherosclerosis. Thirty patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease will be recruited and randomized to a six-month period of consumption of 3 cups per day of either tea, supplied as black tea solids readily dissolved in hot or cold liquid, or water.

At baseline and after 6 months, atherosclerosis in the aorta will be assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. The primary outcomes of this pilot study will be compliance with tea intake and 2 MRI examinations. As secondary outcomes, standard and novel cardiovascular risk markers, including inflammatory, prothrombotic, fibrinolytic, vascular and metabolic factors will be measured.

If successful, this pilot study will form the basis for a larger, long-term randomized trial to determine the effect of tea consumption on progression of atherosclerosis.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Cardiovascular Disease	Drug: Black Tea	Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

Tea is widely thought to have health benefits, particularly on cardiovascular disease (CVD). The investigator's group recently found that intake of 2 or more cups of tea per day was associated with a 44% lower long-term mortality rate than abstention from tea among 1900 patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction. Short-term trials support a benefit of tea on endothelial function, but long-term randomized trials of tea intake on CVD and atherosclerosis are needed to test the effects of tea definitively.

The researchers propose a proof-of-principle pilot study of the effect of long-term tea intake on atherosclerosis. From a large hospital-based primary care practice, 30 patients at high risk for CVD will be recruited and randomized to a six-month period of consumption of 3 cups per day of either tea, supplied as black tea solids readily dissolved in hot or cold liquid, or water. The polyphenol content of these solids will be confirmed at baseline, and a single batch of tea throughout the study will be used. At baseline and after 6 months, aortic atherosclerosis using magnetic resonance imaging, an accurate and reproducible method for measurement of arterial plaque size, will be assessed. Adherence using urinary catechins, the primary flavonoids in tea, will be measured. The primary outcomes will be compliance with tea intake and 2 MRI examinations. As secondary outcomes, standard and novel cardiovascular risk markers, including inflammatory, prothrombotic, fibrinolytic, and metabolic factors will be measured. The researchers will also assess the effects of tea consumption on oxidizability of LDL and VLDL cholesterol, using a novel affinity-column chromatography approach, and on endothelial integrity, as assessed by serum markers of endothelial function. If successful, this pilot study will form the basis for a larger, long-term randomized trial to determine the effect of tea consumption on progression of atherosclerosis.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Enrollment: 30 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Official Title: Tea's Effect on Atherosclerosis Pilot Study (TEA Study)
• Study Start Date: July 2003
• Actual Study Completion Date: April 2005

Arms and Interventions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. The primary outcomes will be compliance with tea intake and 2 MRI examinations.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Standard and novel cardiovascular risk markers, including inflammatory, prothrombotic, fibrinolytic, serum markers of endothelial function and metabolic factors. We will also assess oxidizability of LDL and VLDL cholesterol.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 55 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age greater than or equal to 55 years and the presence of either diabetes or two other cardiovascular risk factors. These risk factors will include hypertension, current smoking, LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl, or family history of premature coronary heart disease (as defined by Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a history of congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, arterial revascularization procedure (coronary, carotid, or peripheral), stroke, angina, or intermittent claudication will be excluded from this study. Either self-report or medical record evidence of these diagnoses will suffice for exclusion
• Intolerance or allergy to tea consumption
• Severe claustrophobia or intolerance to previous MRI examinations
• Standard MRI contraindications (for example, a pacemaker, intra-auricular implants, or intracranial clips)
• Severe illness expected to cause death or profound disability within six months
• Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure greater than or equal to 180/110)
• Chronic renal failure (serum creatinine >2.5 mg/dl or dialysis)
• History of hyponatremia in the last year (sodium <130 mEq/dl)
• Use of vitamin supplements greater than the recommended daily allowance
• Inability to speak English
• Lack of a working telephone

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Massachusetts

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215

Sponsors and Collaborators

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Murray A Mittleman, MD, DrPH; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

More Information

Publications of Results:

Mukamal KJ, MacDermott K, Vinson JA, Oyama N, Manning WJ, Mittleman MA. A 6-month randomized pilot study of black tea and cardiovascular risk factors. Am Heart J. 2007 Oct;154(4):724.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2007.07.008.

• Responsible Party: Kenneth Mukamal, Associate Professor of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00120107
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2003P000089; R21AT001899 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
• First Posted: July 15, 2005
• Last Update Posted: March 14, 2017
• Last Verified: March 2017

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: Undecided

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Cardiovascular Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Vascular Diseases