Author: Kim, Jeong-A.

Source: Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets(Formerly Current Dru, Volume 8, Number 2, June 2008 , pp. 82-88(7)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Tea is a popular beverage with a number of putative beneficial health effects. A recent large epidemiological study in Japan demonstrates that increased tea consumption is associated with decreased cardiovascular mortality (but not cancer mortality) in a dose-dependent manner. The polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant tea catechin. Beneficial effects of EGCG therapy have been reported in a number of human and animal studies. Emerging evidence suggests that EGCG may improve endothelial function, hypertension, coronary heart disease, obesity, insulin resistance, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. Studies in cultured cells and animal models suggest molecular mechanisms for EGCG to activate specific cellular signaling pathways that may play major roles in prevention and amelioration of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In this review, the beneficial health effects of tea and molecular mechanisms of EGCG related to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases will be discussed.

Keywords: epigallocatechin; Hypertension; cardiovascular disease; epicatechin; mediated brachial artery dilation; Dyslipidemia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187153008784534349

Publication date: 2008-06-01

More about this publication?

• This journal is devoted to timely reviews of experimental and clinical studies in the field of endocrine, metabolic, and immune disorders. Specific emphasis is placed on humoral and cellular targets for natural, synthetic, and genetically engineered drugs that enhance or impair endocrine, metabolic, and immune parameters and functions. Topics related to the neuroendocrine-immune axis are given special emphasis in view of the growing interest in stress-related, inflammatory, autoimmune, and degenerative disorders.

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