EGCG inGreen tea inhibits liverdamage caused by chemicals and inflammation

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EGCG inhibits liver damage caused by chemicals and inflammation

 

A chemical was used to cause hepatitis in mice. This resembles

chemical and immune induced hepatitis in humans.

 

If the mice were first supplemented with EGCG, Green Tea's most

powerful polyphenol, they had a much smaller

increase in ALT, an enzyme that increases with liver damage

indicating a good

protective effect for the liver tissue.

 

On further inspection there were fewer immune system cells moving

into the liver; these cells cause inflammation and damage in the

liver. There was less

liver damage and less death of liver cells in the EGCG protected

mice than the unprotected.

 

The EGCG worked by inhibiting an increased level of a

host of " inflammatory cells " in the liver.

 

The study is published in the September 2006

issue of the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology. -Jerry

Hickey, RPh