Consumption of black and green tea had no effect on inflammation, haemostasis and endothelial markers in smoking healthy individuals.
OBJECTIVE
Firstly, to study the effect of tea and tea polyphenols on cardiovascular risk indicators of the inflammatory system (IL6, IL1beta and TNF-alpha, CRP), and on haemostasis and endothelial proteins with an acute phase behaviour (fibrinogen, vWF, PAI-1, FVIIa and u-PA). Secondly, to study the relationship between plasma levels of antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and vitamin C) and these acute-phase, cardiovascular risk indicators.


METHODS
Randomized study.


METHODS
Sixty-four smoking healthy volunteers were recruited by newspaper advertisements; there were five dropouts.


METHODS
Four-week administration of black tea, green tea, green tea polyphenol isolate and mineral water ( 13-16 per group).


METHODS
Plasma levels of the inflammatory markers IL6, IL1beta, TNF-alpha, CRP, fibrinogen, vWF, PAI-1, FVIIa and u-PA and of the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and vitamin C.


RESULTS
Different dosages of tea polyphenols had no effect on inflammation, haemostasis and endothelial markers. There was a significant negative correlation between the levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene and the inflammation markers IL6 and fibrinogen (r = -0.35 and r = -0.37, respectively, P<0.01) in this group of smokers. Remarkably, there was a significant positive correlation between the levels of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol and the inflammation marker IL6 (r = 0.28, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Tea drinking had no effect on the levels of the inflammation, haemostasis and endothelial cardiovascular risk factors measured. We did observe a relationship between the antioxidant variables alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene and inflammation markers in this group of healthy smoking subjects.
de Maat
M P
MP
Division of Vascular and Connective Tissue Research, Gaubius Laboratory, TNO-PG, Leiden, The Netherlands. MPM.deMaat@pg.tno.nl
Pijl
H
H
Kluft
C
C
Princen
H M
HM
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D059808:Polyphenols; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D011108:Polymers; D059808:Polyphenols; D013662:Tea; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein