Urolithin A and Endothelial and Cerebrovascular Function in Middle-Aged Adults With Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE

Midlife obesity affects nearly half of US adults and is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to obesity-related endothelial dysfunction and disease risk, highlighting the mitochondria as a potential intervention target. Urolithin A (UA), a polyphenol-derived microbial metabolite and mitophagy activator, is safe and benefits mitochondrial health in humans.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether supplementation with UA improved peripheral endothelial and cerebrovascular function in middle-aged adults with obesity.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND

PARTICIPANTS

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted at a single site (University of Oklahoma Health Campus) from October 2023 to May 2025. Middle-aged adults (40-64 years) with a body mass index of 30 or greater were eligible to enroll.

INTERVENTION: Enrolled participants were randomized 1:1 to receive 1000 mg of UA or placebo for 4 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) from baseline to end point comparing control and active groups. Secondary outcomes included complementary peripheral endothelial function measures (reactive hyperemia-induced perfusion fold change and acute reperfusion in the dorsal hand and reactive hyperemia index in the fingertips) and cerebrovascular function measures (task-evoked cerebrovascular hemodynamic responses and task performance). Primary analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

Overall, 50 participants were included (25 active and 25 control); mean (SD) age was 50.7 (7.1) years, mean (SD) BMI was 38.3 (7.0), and 37 (74%) were female. Mean (SD) follow-up duration was 28 (2) days. Seven participants were lost to follow-up (14% dropout rate). Change in mean (SD) FMD did not differ significantly based on group allocation (control: 0.3% [5.1%]; active: 1.3% [7.6%]). Similarly, there was no significant treatment effect on secondary peripheral endothelial function outcomes. T-contrast maps showed significantly greater task-evoked hemodynamic responses after supplementation with UA relative to placebo (control: mean [SD] β coefficient, -1.43 [5.26]; active: mean [SD] β coefficient, 15.53 [13.02]), while task performance remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial of 50 participants, 4 weeks of UA supplementation did not significantly improve peripheral endothelial function in middle-aged adults with obesity. However, supplementation was well tolerated and feasible, and its effect on task-evoked cerebrovascular hemodynamic responses warrants further investigation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05921266.