title: Black Tea Increases Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Improves Flow Mediated Dilatation Counteracting Deleterious Effects from a Fat Load in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.
abstract: (1) Background: Endothelial dysfunction predicts cardiovascular events. Circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) maintain and repair the endothelium regulating its function. Tea flavonoids reduce cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effects of black tea on the number of CACs and on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before and after an oral fat in hypertensives; (2) Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, controlled, cross-over study, 19 patients were assigned to black tea (150 mg polyphenols) or a placebo twice a day for eight days. Measurements were obtained in a fasted state and after consuming whipping cream, and FMD was measured at baseline and after consumption of the products; (3) Results: Compared with the placebo, black tea ingestion increased functionally active CACs (36 ± 22 vs. 56 ± 21 cells per high-power field;p= 0.006) and FMD (5.0% ± 0.3% vs. 6.6% ± 0.3%,p< 0.0001). Tea further increased FMD 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after consumption, with maximal response 2 h after intake (p< 0.0001). Fat challenge decreased FMD, while tea consumption counteracted FMD impairment (p< 0.0001); (4) Conclusions: We demonstrated the vascular protective properties of black tea by increasing the number of CACs and preventing endothelial dysfunction induced by acute oral fat load in hypertensive patients. Considering that tea is the most consumed beverage after water, our findings are of clinical relevance and interest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Viale S Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. davide.grassi@cc.univaq.it.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Unilever Research and Development, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. richard.draijer@unilever.com.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Draijer
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands. c.schalkwijk@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Casper
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schalkwijk
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Viale S Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. giovambattista.desideri@cc.univaq.it.
authors.forename: Giovambattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Desideri
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Viale S Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. anatolia79@katamail.com.
authors.forename: Anatolia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Angeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Viale S Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. sandro.francavilla@univaq.it.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francavilla
authors.affiliation: Unilever Research and Development, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. Theo.Mulder@unilever.com.
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Viale S Salvatore, Delta 6 Medicina, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. claudio.ferri@cc.univaq.it.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids; D013662:Tea
keywords: black tea; circulating endothelial cells; endothelial function; flavonoids; hypertension