A compound in green tea may offer therapeutic benefit to people with rheumatoid arthritis. According to a study reported April 30th, from the University of Michigan Health System, a green tea compound known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was found to inhibit production of several molecules associated with inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Researchers isolated synovial fibroblasts (cells that form a lining of tissue which surrounds the joint capsule) from the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients in order to conduct the study. The synovial fibroblasts were cultured in a growth medium and incubated with the green tea compound. The fibroblasts were then stimulated with an immune system protein known to play a significant role in joint destruction.
Researchers found that the green tea compound inhibited pathways which caused inflammation and bone destruction. The promising results make a good case for future testing of the green tea compound in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis and eventually humans with rheumatoid arthritis.
Related Resources:
- Coffee / Tea at About.com
- Green Tea May Combat Arthritis
- Does Food Impact Severity of Arthritis?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Explained With Pictures
- Test Your Knowledge: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 10 Things You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Photo by Ron Hohenhaus (iStockphoto)
