title: Effects of green tea catechins and theanine on preventing influenza infection among healthcare workers: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Experimental studies have revealed that green tea catechins and theanine prevent influenza infection, while the clinical evidence has been inconclusive. This study was conducted to determine whether taking green tea catechins and theanine can clinically prevent influenza infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 200 healthcare workers conducted for 5 months from November 9, 2009 to April 8, 2010 in three healthcare facilities for the elderly in Higashimurayama, Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The catechin/theanine group received capsules including green tea catechins (378 mg/day) and theanine (210 mg/day). The control group received placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was the incidence of clinically defined influenza infection. Secondary outcomes were (1) laboratory-confirmed influenza with viral antigen measured by immunochromatographic assay and (2) the time for which the patient was free from clinically defined influenza infection, i.e., the period between the start of intervention and the first diagnosis of influenza infection, based on clinically defined influenza infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eligible healthcare workers (n = 197) were enrolled and randomly assigned to an intervention; 98 were allocated to receive catechin/theanine capsules and 99 to placebo. The incidence of clinically defined influenza infection was significantly lower in the catechin/theanine group (4 participants; 4.1%) compared with the placebo group (13 participants; 13.1%) (adjusted OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.76, P = 0.022). The incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection was also lower in the catechin/theanine group (1 participant; 1.0%) than in the placebo group (5 participants; 5.1%), but this difference was not significant (adjusted OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.01 to 1.10; P = 0.112). The time for which the patient was free from clinically defined influenza infection was significantly different between the two groups (adjusted HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.84; P = 0.023).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among healthcare workers for the elderly, taking green tea catechins and theanine may be effective prophylaxis for influenza infection.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials (NCT): NCT01008020.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Evaluation & Informatics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Norikata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takuma
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niino
authors.forename: Yuko M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Sagesaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002392:Catechin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005971:Glutamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; C026166:theanine; D002392:Catechin