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immunity
A recent study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that drinking matcha daily greatly enhanced the overall response of the immune system. The exceedingly high levels of antioxidants in matcha mainly take the form of polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids, each of which aids the body’s defense in its daily struggles against free radicals that come from the pollution in your air, water and foods.
Recent Research Papers on
immunity
Toxicity of green tea extracts and their constituents in rat hepatocytes in primary culture
Author: M. Schmidt and H.-J. Schmitz and A. Baumgart and D. Guédon and M.I. Netsch and M.-H. Kreuter and C.B. Schmidlin and D. Schrenk
Recent reports on sporadic cases of liver disorders (acute hepatitis, icterus, hepatocellular necrosis) after ingestion of dietary supplements based on hydro-alcoholic extracts from green tea leaves led to restrictions of the marketing of such products in certain countries of the EU. Since green tea is considered to exert a number of beneficial health effects, and, therefore, green tea products are widely used as dietary supplements, we were interested in the possible mechanism of hepatotoxicity of green tea extracts and in the components involved in such effects. Seven hours after seeding on collagen, rat hepatocytes in primary culture were treated with various hydro-alcoholic green tea extracts (two different native 80% ethanolic dry extracts and an 80% ethanolic dry extract cleared from lipophilic compounds). Cells were washed, and reduction of resazurin, used as a viability parameter monitoring intact mitochondrial function, was determined. It was found that all seven green tea extracts examined enhanced resazurin reduction significantly at a concentration range of 100–500 μg/ml medium, while a significant decrease was observed at 1–3 mg/ml medium. Decreased levels were concomitant with abundant necrosis as observed by microscopic inspection of the cultures and with increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase activity from the cells. In a separate series of experiments, the green tea constituents (−)-epicatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, caffeine and theanine were tested at concentrations reflecting their levels in a typical green tea extract. Synthetic (+)-epigallocatechin (200 μM) was used for comparison. Cytotoxicity was found with (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate only. The concomitant addition of 0.25 mM ascorbate/0.05 mM α-tocopherol had no influence on cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our results suggest that high concentrations of green tea extract can exert acute toxicity in rat liver cells. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate seems to be a key constituent responsible for this effect. The relatively low bioavailability of catechins reported after oral exposure to green tea argues, however, against a causal role of these constituents in the reported liver disorders.
More tea for septic patients? – Green tea may reduce endotoxin-induced release of high mobility group box 1 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines
Author: Xiaotian Chen and Wei Li and Haichao Wang
Summary Despite recent advances in antibiotic therapy and intensive care, sepsis remains widespread problems in critically ill patients. The high mortality of sepsis is in part mediated by bacterial endotoxin, which stimulates macrophages/monocytes to sequentially release early (e.g., TNF, IL-1, and IFN-γ) and late (e.g., HMGB1) pro-inflammatory cytokines. In light of our recent discovery of HMGB1 as a late mediator of lethal systemic inflammation, and the observation that green tea (Camellia sinensis) dose-dependently attenuated bacterial endotoxin-induced HMGB1 release, we propose that regular tea intake might decrease the incidence of and mortality rates from lethal endotoxemia and sepsis.
Mechanisms of action of green tea catechins, with a focus on ischemia-induced neurodegeneration
Author: Brad A. Sutherland and Rosanna M.A. Rahman and Ian Appleton
Catechins are dietary polyphenolic compounds associated with a wide variety of beneficial health effects in vitro, in vivo and clinically. These therapeutic properties have long been attributed to the catechins' antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects. Emerging evidence has shown that catechins and their metabolites have many additional mechanisms of action by affecting numerous sites, potentiating endogenous antioxidants and eliciting dual actions during oxidative stress, ischemia and inflammation. Catechins have proven to modulate apoptosis at various points in the sequence, including altering expression of anti- and proapoptotic genes. Their anti-inflammatory effects are activated through a variety of different mechanisms, including modulation of nitric oxide synthase isoforms. Catechins' actions of attenuating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response may, in part, account for their confirmed neuroprotective capabilities following cerebral ischemia. The versatility of the mechanisms of action of catechins increases their therapeutic potential as interventions for numerous clinical disorders. However, more epidemiological and clinical studies need to be undertaken for their efficacy to be fully elucidated.
Determination of riboflavin in urine and beverages by capillary electrophoresis with in-column optical fiber laser-induced fluorescence detection
Author: Li Hu and Xiupei Yang and Chunling Wang and Hongyan Yuan and Dan Xiao
A simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for routine analysis of riboflavin in beverage, green tea and urine by capillary electrophoresis with in-column optical fiber laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF). The difference between the present detector in the study and others is that an optical fiber was adopted in the former, which can guide the excitation light into the capillary right at the detection window. The linearity of the method (r2 = 0.998) was good over the concentration range from 0.05 to 20 μM for riboflavin. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined using linear regression analysis and was found to be 3.0 nM. The percent recoveries of riboflavin in beverage, green tea and urine samples were 95.3 ± 2.9, 105.5 ± 3.9 and 94.3 ± 1.7, respectively. These results of quantitative analysis of riboflavin in beverage and green tea samples is in agreement with that of obtained by the AOAC of fluorometric method. In the analysis of urine samples, all electropherograms of urine samples and corresponding concentrations of riboflavin in the period of 13 h after orally administrating the ingestion of vitamin B2 tablets were illustrated.
Matrix proteases, green tea, and St. John's wort: Biomedical research catches up with folk medicine
Author: Isabella Dell'Aica and Rosy Caniato and Susan Biggin and Spiridione Garbisa
Background Some proteases involved in extracellular matrix degradation are instrumental not only in overcoming tissue barriers to allow normal extravasation of hematic cells, but also in facilitating pathological processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis and tumor invasion. The possibility of blocking these enzymes has led to the development of synthetic inhibitors, though clinical trials have been disappointing owing to considerable side effects. However, long before enzymes were first isolated, these same pathologies were being treated in plant-based folk remedies, and today science is screening them for their reputed beneficial effects. State of the art We present studies of 2 vegetable components as protease inhibitors. The first, (−)epigallocatechin-3-gallate — from green tea, has proved a good weapon for inhibiting gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, but an even better inhibitor of leukocyte elastase (LE) activity; in vivo it blocks inflammation, angiogenesis and tumor invasion. The second, hyperforin – from Hypericum sp, inhibits LE-triggered activation of MMP-9, PMN chemotaxis and chemoinvasion, PMN-triggered angiogenesis, and inflammation-triggered pulmonary fibrosis; it also represses tumor-cell expression of MMP-2, thereby restraining invasion and metastasis. Conclusion Modern research clearly vindicates epidemiological and historical evidence of the beneficial effects of two long-used allies from the plant kingdom, going a step beyond by shedding light on mechanistic keys.
Proposed mechanisms of (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate for anti-obesity
Author: Hyun-Seuk Moon and Hong-Gu Lee and Yun-Jaie Choi and Tae-Gyu Kim and Chong-Su Cho
Green tea catechins (GTCs) are polyphenolic flavonoids formerly called vitamin P. GTCs, especially (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), lower the incidence of cancers, collagen-induced arthritis, oxidative stress-induced neurodegenerative diseases, and streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Also, inhibition of adipogenesis by green tea and green tea extract has been demonstrated in cell lines, animal models, and humans. The obesity-preventive effects of green tea and its main constituent EGCG are widely supported by results from epidemiological, cell culture, animal, and clinical studies in the last decade. Studies with adipocyte cell lines and animal models have demonstrated that EGCG inhibits extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK), activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), modulates adipocyte marker proteins, and down-regulates lipogenic enzymes as well as other potential targets. Also, the catechin components of green tea have been shown to possess anti-carcinogenic properties possibly related to their anti-oxidant activity. In addition, it was shown that dietary supplementation with EGCG could potentially contribute to nutritional strategies for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this review, the biological activities and multiple mechanisms of EGCG in cell lines, animal models, and clinical observations are explained.
Anticoccidial effect of green tea-based diets against Eimeria maxima
Author: Seung I. Jang and Moo-Hyung Jun and Hyun S. Lillehoj and Rami A. Dalloul and Il-Keun Kong and Suk Kim and Wongi Min
Anticoccidial effects of green tea (GT)-based diets were evaluated in chickens following oral infection with Eimeria maxima an ubiquitous intestinal parasite of poultry that impairs the growth and feed efficiency of infected birds. Five-week-old chickens were assigned to four groups (GT 0.5%, GT 2.0%, untreated/infected and non-infected control) and each group consisted of 15 chickens. Chickens were fed a standard diet supplemented with ground green tea for 2 weeks prior to infection with E. maxima (10,000 sporulated oocysts per bird). The effects of green tea on E. maxima infection were assessed by two parameters, fecal oocyst shedding and body weight gain. The green tea-fed chickens produced significantly reduced fecal oocysts (P < 0.05) when compared to the E. maxima-infected group fed standard diet. The green tea-based diet, however, did not improve body weight loss caused by E. maxima infection. This study is the first to demonstrate anticoccidial effect of green tea on Eimeriaparasites.
Analysis of vitamin K in green tea leafs and infusions by SPME–GC-FID
Author: Márcia Reto and Maria E. Figueira and Helder M. Filipe and Cristina M.M. Almeida
The usual methods for determination vitamin K are laborious. With the aim of replace them by a simpler method that requires fewer solvents, lower analytical levels and allows reporting of results in a smaller period of time, a procedure based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was developed. This method was used to analyse vitamin K in green tea leafs and infusions from nine brands of green tea commercialised in Portugal. The best analytical conditions were obtained using PDMS 7 μm fibre using immersion extraction at 40 °C, for 45 min and 1300 rpm. The linear range for vitamins K1 and K2 was defined. The detection limits obtained with PDMS fibre and GC/FID were 0.16 and 0.07 mg/L for vitamins K1 and K2, respectively. In all analysed infusions the concentration of vitamin K was lower than the detection limit of the developed method, however, the concentration of vitamin K1 present in tea leafs was between 120 and 625 μg/100 g.
Acute, subchronic and genotoxicity studies conducted with Oligonol, an oligomerized polyphenol formulated from lychee and green tea extracts
Author: Hajime Fujii and Hiroshi Nishioka and Koji Wakame and Bernadene A. Magnuson and Ashley Roberts
Oligonol is a phenolic product derived from lychee fruit extract and green tea extract, containing catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins, produced by a manufacturing process which converts polyphenol polymers into oligomers. The safety of Oligonol was assessed in acute and subchronic studies and genotoxicity assays. In a single dose acute study of Oligonol, male and female rats were administered 2000 mg/kg body weight (bw) Oligonol in water by gavage. Oligonol caused no adverse effects and body weight gain and food consumption were within normal range, thus the LD50 of Oligonol was determined to be greater than 2000 mg/kg. A 90 day subchronic study (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day, oral gavage) in male and female rats reported no significant adverse effects in food consumption, body weight, mortality, clinical chemistry, haematology, gross pathology and histopathology. Similarly, no adverse effects were observed in mice fed diets providing 2, 20 or 200 mg/kg bw Oligonol or 200 mg/kg bw lychee polyphenol for 90 days. Oligonol did not show any potential to induce gene mutations in reverse mutation tests using Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 and Escherichia coliWP2uvrA strains. Oligonol did not induce chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster lung cells, but it showed increased polyploidy. In a micronucleus assay in mice, Oligonol did not induce any micronuclei or suppress bone marrow, indicating it does not cause chromosome aberrations. The results from these safety studies and previous reports support the safety of Oligonol for human consumption.
Consumption of green tea favorably affects oxidative stress markers in weight-trained men
Author: Vilma Simões Pereira Panza and Elisabeth Wazlawik and Gustavo Ricardo Schütz and Leandro Comin and Karl Christian Hecht and Edson Luiz da Silva
Objective This study investigated the effects of the consumption of green tea (GT) for 7 d on biomarkers of oxidative stress in young men undergoing resistance exercise. Methods Fourteen subjects performed a bench press exercise (four sets, 10 to 4 repetitions) after undergoing a period without (control group) or with the intake of GT (GT group; 2 g of leaves in 200 mL of water, three times per day). Blood samples were obtained before and after exercise and analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]), total polyphenols, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid hydroperoxide (LH) and thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), xanthine oxidase (XO), hypoxanthine, and uric acid (UA). Results In the control group, exercise did not affect the values of LH, thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances, and FRAP, although it did reduce the levels of GSH (P < 0.05). In addition, exercise increased CK, AST, and XO activities, although it did not change the values for hypoxanthine or UA. Green tea reduced the postexercise concentration of LH and increased the values of total polyphenols, GSH, and FRAP. GT also inhibited a significant rise in CK and XO activities induced by exercise. Furthermore, GT decreased the AST activity and hypoxanthine and UA concentrations before and after exercise. The assessment of food consumption revealed that the participants had an unbalanced diet, particularly in relation to vitamin E and carotenoids. Conclusion Consumption of GT, a beverage rich in polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative damage caused by exercise, and dietary guidance for sports participants should be emphasized.
Other Popular Research Topics
Cognitive Function
Matcha consumption leads to much higher intake of green tea phytochemicals compared to regular green tea. Previous research on caffeine, L-theanine, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) repeatedly demonstrated benefits on cognitive performance.
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Heart Health
According to Harvard Medical School, “lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease may be as easy as drinking green tea. Studies suggest this light, aromatic tea may lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which may be responsible for the tea's association with reduced risk of death from heart disease and stroke.”
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Mental Health
Matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which has been shown to reduce physiological and psychological stresses. L-theanine also improves cognition and mood in a synergistic manner with caffeine, and promotes alpha wave production in the brain
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Cancer Prevention
Matcha/green tea has for many centuries been regarded as an essential part of good health in Japan and China. Many believe it can help reduce the risk of cancer, and a growing body of evidence backs this up.
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