Cholesterol-lowering effect of a theaflavin-enriched green tea extract: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Tea consumption has been associated with decreased cardiovascular risk, but potential mechanisms of benefit are ill-defined. While epidemiologic studies suggest that drinking multiple cups of tea per day lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), previous trials of tea drinking and administration of green tea extract have failed to show any impact on lipids and lipoproteins in humans. Our objective was to study the impact of a theaflavin-enriched green tea extract on the lipids and lipoproteins of subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial set in outpatient clinics in 6 urban hospitals in China. A total of 240 men and women 18 years or older on a low-fat diet with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned to receive a daily capsule containing theaflavin-enriched green tea extract (375 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. Main outcome measures were mean percentage changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride levels compared with baseline.


RESULTS
After 12 weeks, the mean +/- SEM changes from baseline in total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels were -11.3% +/- 0.9% (P =.01), -16.4% +/- 1.1% (P =.01), 2.3% +/- 2.1% (P =.27), and 2.6% +/- 3.5% (P =.47), respectively, in the tea extract group. The mean levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides did not change significantly in the placebo group. No significant adverse events were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The theaflavin-enriched green tea extract we studied is an effective adjunct to a low-saturated-fat diet to reduce LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic adults and is well tolerated.
Maron
David J
DJ
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA. david.maron@vanderbilt.edu
Lu
Guo Ping
GP
Cai
Nai Sheng
NS
Wu
Zong Gui
ZG
Li
Yue Hua
YH
Chen
Hui
H
Zhu
Jian Qiu
JQ
Jin
Xue Juan
XJ
Wouters
Bert C
BC
Zhao
Jian
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044946:Biflavonoids; D002392:Catechin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013662:Tea; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D044946:Biflavonoids; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; D014280:Triglycerides; C056068:theaflavin; D002392:Catechin; D002784:Cholesterol