Brown Fat as Therapeutic Strategy for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases Via Functional/Nutraceutical Approach - Molecular Mechanisms of Pentacyclic Triterpenes (BRACE)
To examine MA (Maslinic Acid) safety and efficacy in ameliorating insulin resistance and the cardinal features of metabolic syndrome. Chronic exposure to MA as a potent PPARgamma binder nutraceutical over 12 weeks will result in improvement in the features of metabolic syndrome including waist circumference, blood pressure, serum HDL-C level, fasting serum triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose. Expected secondary endpoints include favorable changes in metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, fat oxidation, body composition, weight, BAT/WAT compartments, batokines/adipokines, proinflammatory biomarkers, insulin sensitivity and beta cell function.
• Male or Female
• Chinese ethnicity
• Age between 21 to 60 years• Able to give informed consent
• Body mass index (BMI) between 23 to 32 kg/m2
• Thyroid function test must be within the normal ranges
• Willing to avail yourself for the whole study and follow study procedures
• EITHER deemed to have pre-metabolic syndrome when waist circumference is \> 90 cm in men or \> 80 cm in women, with none or up to one of the following condition:
‣ Triglyceride level \>/= 1.7 mmol/L
⁃ HDL cholesterol \</= 1.0 mmol/L in men, and \</= 1.3 mmol/L in women
⁃ Blood pressure \>/= 130/85 mmHg
⁃ Fasting blood glucose \>/= 6.1 mmol/L
• OR deemed to have metabolic syndrome when three or more of the following conditions are present:
‣ Waist circumference \> 90 cm in men and \> 80 cm in women
⁃ Triglyceride level \>/= 1.7 mmol/L
⁃ HDL cholesterol\</= 1.0 mmol/L in men, and \</= 1.3 mmol/L in women
⁃ Blood pressure \>/= 130/85 mmHg
⁃ Fasting blood glucose \>/= 6.1 mmol/L