Abstract
Background
A high consumption of green tea has been linked with lower blood cholesterol, an effect primarily ascribed to its most abundant polyphenolic compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). However, studies investigating the effects of EGCG on blood lipids in humans are scarce.
Objective
The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effect of EGCG supplementation on blood lipids in moderately hypercholesterolaemic humans.
Design
Ten participants (6 males and 4 females) with moderately elevated cholesterol between 5.5 and 7.5 mmol/l were recruited. A double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel design was used to study the effects of 1g EGCG/day (treatment) or 1g/day gelatine (control), given in 4 X 250 mg capsules, for 4 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the study and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in plasma using commercially available kits. The LDL cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald equation. Participants were asked to record their dietary intake on three consecutive days at baseline and at the end of the study and the macronutrient profile of their diets was analysed using FoodWorks 2009 Professional (v6 Xyris Software).
Outcomes
The LDL cholesterol significantly increased during the 4-week treatment period in the control group (+13.3%, P=0.016) but there was no significant change in the EGCG group (+4.8%, P=0.365). The same trend was seen for total cholesterol in the control group (+8.6%, P=0.060) but it did not reach statistical significance. In the EGCG group, there was no change in total cholesterol (+0.77%, P=0.768). There were no significant differences in triglycerides in either group during the treatment period (P>0.05). There were also no changes in the dietary intake of macronutrients in either group during the 4 weeks of treatment (P>0.05).
Conclusion
The results of this pilot study indicate that EGCG suppressed the rise in LDL cholesterol which was seen in the control group. Therefore, further studies investigating EGCG as an hypocholesterolaemic agent are warranted in higher numbers of subjects.
Source of funding
N. Naumovski was the recipient of an APA Scholarship from the University of Newcastle.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition-Society-of-Australia - Duration: 1 Jan 2011 → … |
Conference
Conference | Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition-Society-of-Australia |
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Period | 1/01/11 → … |