Both aluminum and polyphenols in green tea decoction (Camellia sinensis) affect iron status and hematological parameters in rats.
BACKGROUND
Green tea leaves naturally contain high levels of polyphenols and aluminum (Al). Polyphenols in green tea decoction are considered to be one of the major factors responsible of low iron status. However, the effects of Al from green tea decoction on iron status and hematological parameters remained unclear.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate the Al absorption from green tea decoction and studied its influence on iron status and hematological parameters in rats.


METHODS
During the experiment period, rats were given the experimental diet + a simple dose of Al sulfate with or without graded doses of green tea decoction (25, 50 and 100 g/l). The Al absorption was evaluated in the serum; however, iron status was evaluated by the iron concentration in the liver, kidney, spleen and femur. In addition, the hemoglobin and hematocrit were evaluated.


RESULTS
Our results showed that the serum Al significantly increased between 61.5 and 342%, as tea doses-dependant. The Al sulfate significantly decreased the reserve of iron in all studied organs between 21.7 and 17% (P < 0.05). In groups receiving green tea decoction alone or Al + graded doses of tea, the reserve of iron significantly decreased in all studied organs between 59.4 and 18.5% (P < 0.01). Al alone or associated with drinking doses of tea significantly decreased hemoglobin concentration between 23.6 and 9% (P < 0.05) and hematocrit between 12.7 and 7% (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data showed that Al from green tea decoction was more absorbed in the serum than Al sulfate. Al absorption was associated with low iron status and reduction of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Considering that Al competes with iron in different stage of erythropoiesis including transferrin binding, so we could assume that the negative effect of tea on iron status arises not only from polyphenols iron complexes but also from Al released in tea decoction.
Unité de Recherche sur les Composés Antioxydants, Stress Oxydant, Eléments Traces et Maladies Métaboliques, Ecole Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de la Santé de Tunis, BP 176, Bab-Souika, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia.
Neila
N
Marouani
Adel
A
Chahed
Abderrazek
A
Hédhili
Mohamed Hédi
MH
Hamdaoui
D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005269:Femur / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D000535:Aluminum; D007501:Iron