Multi Center Clinical Study on the Lipid-lowering Efficacy and Safety of Menggongzi Tibetan Tea Special Drink

Every year, approximately 179 million people die from cardiovascular diseases, accounting for about 31% of global deaths. This number is expected to exceed 236 million by 2030, and the economic burden of these diseases is increasing year by year. Currently, in China, there are up to 330 million people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, with the mortality rate exceeding 40% of disease-related deaths and continuing to rise. Chronic dyslipidemia increases the incidence and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Hyperlipidemia refers to elevated levels of one or more lipids in the plasma due to abnormal lipid metabolism or transport, leading to deposition in the vascular endothelium and causing damage to the body. This condition manifests as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, or low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, this disease is closely related to the onset of stroke, diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, and other conditions. In recent years, the incidence of hyperlipidemia has significantly increased due to changes in lifestyle, especially dietary habits. The atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases caused by hyperlipidemia are often characterized by high incidence, severe harm, and rapid disease progression. Hyperlipidemia is becoming an invisible killer of human health.

Statins are the most recommended medication for ASCVD due to their significant effect in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, with strong evidence supporting their use. However, the side effects of statins have not been fully resolved. Among patients receiving statin treatment, 10%-29% may experience statin-related muscle symptoms, such as cramps, myalgia, weakness, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and more rarely, rhabdomyolysis. Medium-intensity statins may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by approximately 11%, while high-intensity statins might increase the risk by 20% or more. Early clinical trials of statins showed that up to 2% of patients experienced elevated transaminases, and the impact on renal function remains controversial. Additionally, statin-related adverse events include cataracts, gastrointestinal issues, effects on the genitourinary system, gynecomastia, and reproductive issues. Balancing the benefits and risks of statin therapy is a crucial challenge for all cardiovascular doctors.

Tea is one of the world's three major non-alcoholic beverages and has been used both as a food and medicine for over 5000 years. Yaan Tibetan tea is a local specialty black tea, named after its primary production in Yaan, Sichuan Province, and historically popular in Tibetan areas such as Tibet and Qinghai. Tibetan tea contains catechins, caffeine, amino acids, vitamins, and various minerals, particularly rich in tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, and tea saponins. Besides the general benefits of tea such as anti-cancer, anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-radiation effects, it has significant effects on lipid reduction, improving carbohydrate metabolism, lowering blood sugar, weight loss, and softening blood vessels. Meng Gongzi Tibetan Tea Special Drink is made from Tibetan tea, using modern green separation and purification technology to extract and concentrate key functional components like tea polysaccharides and tea pigments. It adds sorbitol, which is indigestible and harmless to the human body, to enhance palatability and is produced using instant sterilization and hot filling technology without preservatives, strictly according to GB/T21733 standards, resulting in a convenient drink with high tea pigment and polysaccharide content.

Currently, there is no research report on Meng Gongzi Tibetan Tea Special Drink, and studies on the lipid-lowering effects of Tibetan tea are mostly animal experiments or observational studies. Therefore, this study aims to use a randomized controlled trial to explore the lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of Meng Gongzi Tibetan Tea Special Drink for patients with hyperlipidemia.

Inclusion criteria

• Meets the diagnostic criteria for hyperlipidemia: total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 6.20mmol/L, triglycerides (TG) ≥ 2.30 mmol/L. If one of the above blood lipid indicators is abnormal, it can be included in this study;
• Age ≥ 18 years old, gender not limited;
• The patient is willing to follow the research protocol and sign an informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients;
• Diabetes patients;
• Severe hypercholesterolemia (TC>8 mmol/L or LDL-C ≥ 4.9 mmol/L) or severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG ≥ 5.6 mmol/L);
• Secondary hyperlipidemia;
• Individuals with a family history of primary hypercholesterolemia;
• Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevation of serum transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT)>2-fold upper limit of normal (ULN));
• The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is less than 30 mL/min/1.73m2;
• Creatine kinase (CK)>3 times ULN;
• Individuals who have used any lipid-lowering drugs within the past month; 10）Individuals allergic to Tibetan tea and atorvastatin calcium;

• Individuals with combined mental illnesses or malignant tumors; 12) Pregnant and lactating women; 13) Researchers consider patients who are not suitable for inclusion in the study.