Green Tea article for M.D

[Guest guest]

Green Tea Slows Muscular Degeneration in Mouse Model

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 04 - The results of an animal study suggest

that green tea might help slow some of the muscle degeneration seen in

muscular dystrophy, possibly through the antioxidant effects. In experiments

with mutant mice that exhibit symptoms like those of Duchenne muscular

dystrophy, Swiss scientists found that daily doses of green tea extract

appeared to slow deterioration in some muscle tissue. They speculate that the

tea may have protective effects against oxidative stress in muscle tissue.

Dr. Urs T. Ruegg of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues

report the findings in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition. Several studies have suggested green tea might help prevent heart

disease and certain cancers, possibly due to polyphenols, which are potent

antioxidants. Oxidative stress may also contribute to muscle wasting,

according to Dr. Ruegg and his colleagues. In addition, they note, markers of

oxidative stress have been found in the muscle of patients with Duchenne

muscular dystrophy. In the new study, mice were given a 4-week diet including

green tea extract starting at birth. Compared with mice not on the diet, the

investigators found that the green-tea mice showed less wasting in certain

muscle tissue. Tests of the animals' muscle fiber also suggested the tea

extract reduced oxidative stress. According to the researchers, the lowest

effective dose in this study corresponds to seven cups of green tea per day

in humans. " Thus, " they write, " dietary intervention in Duchenne muscular

dystrophy patients is feasible. " Dr. Ruegg and colleagues call for more

research in animals and humans to confirm their findings. The study was

funded by the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, and the green tea extracts

were donated by the Taiyo Kagaku Co. in Yokkaichi, Japan. Am J Clin Nutr

2002;75:749-753.