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GCG-Rich Tea Catechins are Effective in Lowering Cholesterol and Triglyceride Concentrations in Hyperlipidemic Rats

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

The (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG) concentration in some tea beverages can account for as much as 50% of the total catechins, as a result of sterilization. The present study aims to examine the effects of GCG-rich tea catechins on hyperlipidemic rats and the mechanisms associated with regulating cholesterol metabolism in the liver. By performing heat epimerization of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), we manufactured a mixture of catechins that had a GCG content of approximately 50% (w/w). In sucrose-rich diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats, the GCG-rich tea catechins exhibited strong activity in reducing plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Furthermore, the hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations that had increased as a result of the sucrose-rich diet were reduced due to GCG-rich tea catechins consumption. In order to investigate the hyperlipidemic mechanism of GCG-rich tea catechins, we examined the hepatic expressions of LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase in hyperlipidemic rats. We further evaluated the action of purified GCG on LDL receptor activity, which is a key contributor to the regulation of cholesterol concentrations. We found that purified GCG increased LDL receptor protein level and activity to a greater extent than EGCG. In conclusion, our study indicates that GCG-rich tea catechins in tea beverages may be effective in preventing hyperlipidemia by lowering plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations.

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Abbreviations

EGCG:

(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate

GCG:

(−)-Gallocatechin gallate

HDL:

High density lipoprotein

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

VLDL:

Very low density lipoprotein

LDLR:

Low density lipoprotein receptor

HMG-CoA:

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Green Tea Research Team, Food Research Institute, R&D Center, Amorepacific Corporation, 314-1 Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Sang Min Lee, Hyun Jung Shin & Joo Hyun Baik

  2. Pre-clinic Research Team, Pharmaceutical Research Institute, R&D Center, Amorepacific Corporation, 314-1 Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Chae Wook Kim

  3. Healthfood Research Team, Food Research Institute, R&D Center, Amorepacific Corporation, 314-1 Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Jung Kee Kim

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  1. Sang Min Lee
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  2. Chae Wook Kim
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  3. Jung Kee Kim
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Correspondence to Joo Hyun Baik.

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Lee, S.M., Kim, C.W., Kim, J.K. et al. GCG-Rich Tea Catechins are Effective in Lowering Cholesterol and Triglyceride Concentrations in Hyperlipidemic Rats. Lipids 43, 419–429 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3167-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3167-4

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