Green tea extract boosts glutathione S-transferase - defense against cancer

Green Tea Boosts Production Of Detox Enzymes, Rendering Cancerous Chemicals Harmless ScienceDaily 8/10/07 "Concentrated chemicals derived from green tea dramatically boosted production of a group of key detoxification enzymes in people with low levels of these beneficial proteins, according to researchers at Arizona Cancer Center...green tea concentrate might help some people strengthen their metabolic defense against toxins capable of causing cancer...In a study of 42 people, the concentrate -- composed of chemicals known as green tea catechins in amounts equal to that found in 8-16 cups of green tea -- boosted production of the enzymes, which belong to the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family, by as much as 80 percent in some participants...GST enzymes are believed to be crucial to the body's defense against cancer-causing chemicals and other toxins, according to the study's lead investigator, H.-H. Sherry Chow, Ph.D...They modify the cancer-causing molecules that would otherwise damage cellular DNA, thus rendering them inert... "Green tea catechins somehow increase gene expression of these enzymes, which can be an advantage to people with low levels to start with."...the volunteers were asked to take four Polyphenon E capsules, for a total of 800 milligrams of EGCG, each morning on an empty stomach ...Polyphenon E enhanced GST activity when data from all participants were included for analysis. But it had its most significant effect in volunteers whose baseline blood measurements showed low GST activity -- an 80 percent increase compared to baseline GST activity. Activity did not change in volunteers with medium GST expression, or in those with the highest levels, GST seemed to decrease slightly although researchers believe that decline was due to random variation..."

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