Effects of GABA supplementation on blood pressure and safety in adults with mild hypertension

Futoshi Matsubara, Hirofumi Ueno, Kentaro Tadano, Tohru Suyama, Kiyoko Imaizumi, Toshimi Suzuki, Kivohiko Magata, Noriaki Kikuchi, Katoshi Muneyuki, Noboru Nakamichi, Hiroo Kumagai, Takao Saruta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) supplementation on blood pressure (BP) and safety in adults with mild hypertension. The optimal amount of daily GABA supplementation for reducing BP was first investigated in adults with systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 130 and 180mmHg. In the dose of 0, 20, 40 and 80mg of GABA per day, the significant BP reduction was observed with 80 mg. To study long-term effects of GABA on BP along with safety issues by oral treatment, an eight-week double-blind cross-over clinical trial was conducted. Fifty men and women were assigned at random by either GABA treatment or control group. The subjects took either four tablets of GABA (80mg) or placebo per day during the study period. Using home blood pressure (HBP) monitoring, SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured twice per day (morning and night). Clinic blood pressure (CBP) was also measured every two weeks. The major result of this study was that SBP and DBP measured in the morning were significantly reduced by 10 and 5mmHg (p < 0.05) compared to baseline BP in the GABA treatment group, and that of delta SBP and DBP between groups was significantly different (p < 0.05). SBP and DBP of CBP also reduced progressively with time. The physical examination revealed negative and there was no report on physical discomfort or laboratory data. The results of this study confirmed that daily supplementation of 80 mg of GABA reduces BP in adults with mild hypertension.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)963-972
Number of pages10
JournalJapanese Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Volume30
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Antihypertensive effect
  • Food for specified health use
  • GABA
  • HBP
  • γ-amino butyric acid

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