Green tea with high-density catechins improves liver function and fat infiltration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Catechins, a major component of green tea extract, have anti-hyperlipidemic effects. The present study investigated the effects of consumption of green tea with high-density catechins in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. Seventeen patients with NAFLD consumed green tea with high-density catechins, low-density catechins or a placebo for 12 weeks in a randomized double-blind study. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and urine 8-isoprostane were monitored and compared to baseline at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Body fat was significantly decreased in the high-density catechin group compared with the placebo and low-density catechin groups after 12 weeks of consumption. All the patients in the high-density catechin group showed a significantly improved liver-to-spleen CT attenuation ratio compared with the placebo and low-density catechin groups after 12 weeks of consumption. The high-density catechin group significantly decreased serum ALT levels and reduced urinary 8-isoprostane excretion compared with the placebo and low-density catechin group after 12 weeks of consumption. Based on a reduced proportion of body fat as estimated by bioimpedance measurement, increased liver-to-spleen CT attenuation ratio, decreased serum ALT levels and reduced urinary 8-isoprostane excretion, we concluded that 12 weeks of 700 ml per day of green tea containing >1 g catechin improved liver fat content and inflammation by reducing oxidative stress in patients with NAFLD.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
Ryuichiro
R
Sakata
Toru
T
Nakamura
Takuji
T
Torimura
Takato
T
Ueno
Michio
M
Sata
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea