Consumption of black and green tea had no effect on inflammation, haemostasis and endothelial markers in smoking healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVE

Firstly, to study the effect of tea and tea polyphenols on cardiovascular risk indicators of the inflammatory system (IL6, IL1beta and TNF-alpha, CRP), and on haemostasis and endothelial proteins with an acute phase behaviour (fibrinogen, vWF, PAI-1, FVIIa and u-PA). Secondly, to study the relationship between plasma levels of antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and vitamin C) and these acute-phase, cardiovascular risk indicators.

DESIGN

Randomized study.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-four smoking healthy volunteers were recruited by newspaper advertisements; there were five dropouts.

INTERVENTION

Four-week administration of black tea, green tea, green tea polyphenol isolate and mineral water ( 13-16 per group).

MEASURES

Plasma levels of the inflammatory markers IL6, IL1beta, TNF-alpha, CRP, fibrinogen, vWF, PAI-1, FVIIa and u-PA and of the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and vitamin C.

RESULTS

Different dosages of tea polyphenols had no effect on inflammation, haemostasis and endothelial markers. There was a significant negative correlation between the levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene and the inflammation markers IL6 and fibrinogen (r = -0.35 and r = -0.37, respectively, P<0.01) in this group of smokers. Remarkably, there was a significant positive correlation between the levels of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol and the inflammation marker IL6 (r = 0.28, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Tea drinking had no effect on the levels of the inflammation, haemostasis and endothelial cardiovascular risk factors measured. We did observe a relationship between the antioxidant variables alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene and inflammation markers in this group of healthy smoking subjects.