THE EFFECTS OF GREEN TEA CATECHIN ON LDL OXIDATION AND ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS
N. Sugihara Ann Nutr Metab 2013;63(suppl 1):1603
Epidemiological studies suggest that green tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. We have demonstrated the inhibitory effects of tea catechin on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine whether tea catechin could improve LDL oxidizability and endothelial function in healthy human subjects.
Methods: Either high (1000 mg) or middle (500 mg) dose catechin (EGCG 48.3 %, ECG 20.4 %, GCG 4.2 %, CG 1.1 %) were examined in a randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind crossover trial among ten healthy men (aged 35.6 ± 6.5 years, BMI 22.8 ± 2.. Blood samples were taken from each subject immediately before and 0.5,1,2 and 4 h after intake.
Results: A marked increase of the concentration of plasma catechin and metabolites (EGCG, ECG, EGCG3_hMe) was found. EGCG and ECG concentrations were highest at 1 h while EGCG3_hMe concentration peaked at 2 h after tea catechin intake. The total antioxidant capacity of plasma was significantly increased at 1 h after high dose tea catechin intake. High dose catechin significantly prolonged the LDL oxidation
lag time, as assessed by lag time assay, relative to placebo. The endothelial function was assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).
Conclusions: These finding suggest that tea catechin could be rapidly absorbed and improve LDL oxidizability in healthy subjects.