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April 30, 2007
EGCG from tea may prevent arthritis - study
By Stephen Daniells
4/30/2007 - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) extracted
from green tea may inhibit the production of inflammatory molecules
associated with and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis,
scientists have reported.
Salah-uddin Ahmed, from the University of Michigan Health System,
told attendees at Experimental Biology 2007 in Washington, D.C.
yesterday that the tea extract may also suppress the inflammatory
products in the connective tissue of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
"Our research is a very promising step in the search for
therapies for the joint destruction experienced by people who
have rheumatoid arthritis," said Ahmed.
The results add to an ever-growing body of science linking consumption
to a wide range of health benefits, including lower risk of certain
cancers, weight loss, heart health, and protection against Alzheimer's.
Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable
polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized
by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent.
The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.
The research, which has not been seen in its entirety by NutraIngredients.com,
focused on synovial fibroblasts - cells that form a lining of
the tissue surrounding the capsule of the joints - from patients
with rheumatoid arthritis. These fibroblasts were subsequently
cultured in a growth medium and incubated with EGCG.
The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) was
then added to the culture medium. IL-1beta is an immune system
protein reported to play an important role in causing joint destruction
in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Ahmed told attendees that when untreated cells were stimulated
with IL-1beta, a cascade of events occurred that resulted in production
of the bone-destructive molecules interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2
(COX-2). However, when the cells were incubated with EGCG the
production of IL-6 and COX-2 was not observed.
The scientists revealed that work is ongoing with lab tests focusing
on the inhibitory role of EGCG in gene expression. Animal studies
will be used to test if EGCG can provide similar therapeutic or
preventive effects against rheumatoid arthritis. Positive results
could form a strong foundation for future testing of the green
tea extract in humans with rheumatoid arthritis, said Ahmed.
This study could be good news for the tea extract market. European
demand for tea extracts is currently surging, having reached 500
metric tonnes by 2003.
This has seen companies such as DSM, with its Teavigo boasting
95 per cent purity of EGCG, and Taiyo International, with its
Sunphenon claiming more than 90 per cent purity, position themselves
firmly in specific catechin markets.
Approximately seven million people in the UK alone are reported
to have long-term health problems associated with arthritis. Around
206 million working days were lost in the UK in 1999-2000, equal
to £18bn (€26bn) of lost productivity.
Source: Experimental Biology 2007, Washington, D.C, 29 April
2007
Authors: S.-U. Ahmed, A. Pakozdi and A. Koch
Source: www.nutraingredients.com
Comment:
The medical costs associated with Arthritis topped $80 billion
in the U.S. in 2003, up from nearly $65 billion in 1997. In
1997, nearly 37 million people in the U.S. had arthritis.
That figure rose to 46 million people in 2003, many of whom
are baby boomers. Several of the arthritis drugs are being
marketed and tested on people just to realize that they pose
more dangerous side effects than arthritis itself. Though
Vioxx was recalled a few years ago, Merck was still trying
to get the FDA approval for a similar drug (Arcoxia) which
was denied in the USA, but is widely sold elsewhere in the
world. Unfortunately, this is done when there are cheaper
and much safer alternatives available. In addition to the
benefits to bones, green tea extract (EGCG) is a very effective
nutrient for several other health benefits from the prevention
of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and other
health ailments.
Almost a decade ago Dr. Rath's research
has proven health benefits of EGCG working synergistically
with other specific cellular nutrients in arthritis and
bone and joint health. EGCG has anti-inflammatory properties,
however, in order to be effective it requires “cooperation”
with other nutrients - especially Vitamin C, lysine, and
proline which are essential for stronger connective tissue
formation and bone and joint health. You can find more information
about Dr. Rath's studies in arthritis, the rapid healing
of bone fracture, and other conditions on www.drrathresearch.org.
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