Green tea Modulates Genes Involved with Cholesterol

Byron's Comments:

The mechanisms behind green tea's benefits to cholesterol metabolism are now being identified.

Study Title:

Epigallocatechin gallate changes mRNA expression level of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism in hepatocytes

Study Abstract:

Catechins, compounds derived from green tea, have been shown to improve cholesterol metabolism in animal studies, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this function have not been fully understood. We performed DNA microarray analysis in order to clarify the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the dominant catechin in green tea, on cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 hepatocytes. This revealed that the expression levels of several genes related to cholesterol metabolism, including the LDL receptor, were changed by EGCG treatment. Using a real-time PCR technique, we confirmed that EGCG treatment up-regulated mRNA expression level of the LDL receptor. Moreover, EGCG decreased extracellular apoB levels. These findings indicated that EGCG improves cholesterol metabolism through the up-regulation of LDL receptor and also reduces extracellular apoB levels.

Study Information:

Tsuyoshi Gotoa, Yuuki Saitoa, Kensei Morikawaa, Yoshihiro Kanamarua and Satoshi Nagaokaa. Epigallocatechin gallate changes mRNA expression level of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism in hepatocytes Br J Nutr.   2011 August  
Department of Applied Life Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.

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