Abstract 525: Evaluation the Effect of Green Tea on Blood Pressure, Endothelial Function, Metabolic Profile, Inflammatory Activity and Body Adiposity in Obese Pre-hypertensive Women

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in Western countries. Some studies have suggested that green tea has beneficial effects on different cardiovascular risk factors. However, others have failed to show such an association. Objective: To evaluate the effects of green tea on blood pressure, endothelial function, metabolic profile, inflammatory biomarkers and body adiposity in obese pre-hypertensive women. Methods: Crossover randomized controlled double-blinded trial. Twenty women with obesity and pre-hypertension, aged 28-59 years, with stable body weight were randomized to receive a daily supplement of 3 capsules that contained either 500mg of green tea extract (GTE) or a matching placebo for 4 weeks, with a washout period of 2 weeks between the treatments. Blood pressure was evaluated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABMP). Endothelial function was evaluated by peripheral arterial tonometry method, using Endo-PAT 2000®. The inflammatory status was assessed by interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, vascular cell adhesion molecule, intercellular adhesion molecule, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, E-selectin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein. Results: After administration of GTE compared with placebo there was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure during 24h (pre 130.3±1.7 vs. post 127.0±2.0 mmHg; p= 0.02), daytime (pre 134.0±1.7 vs. post 130.7±2.0 mmHg; p= 0.04) and nighttime (pre 122.2±1.8 vs. post 118.4±2.2 mmHg; p= 0.02). After consumption of green tea, there was an increase, although not statistically significant, in reactive hyperemia index (pre 1.98±0.10 vs. post 2.22±0.14), besides reduction in the concentration of intercellular adhesion molecule (pre 91.8±8.0 vs. post 85.8±5.6 ng/ml) and vascular endothelial growth factor (pre 195.8±46.2 vs. post 158.6±38.7 pg/ml), however without statistical significance. The other variables did not change significantly after consumption of green tea. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that green tea has a beneficial effect on blood pressure and possibly on endothelial function.