Search

Many biological activities of green tea have been attributed to a major constituent, (minus;)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We previously reported that EGCG and an EGCG-free fraction derived from green tea modulated the gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, in the mouse liver. EGCG is also known to affect the gene expression of enzymes related to lipid metabolism. However, it remains to be examined whether or not a constituent other than EGCG contributes to the change in gene expression of these enzymes. In this study, we prepared an EGCG-free water-soluble fraction (GT-W), and examined its effects on the hepatic gene expression of lipogenic enzymes in mice. The results of quantitative real-time PCR assays indicated that the dietary administration of GT-W for 4 weeks reduced the hepatic gene expression of lipogenic enzymes: fatty acid synthase, hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha. Also, the gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor (Srebf)1 and/or Srebf2 was reduced, suggesting that the reduction of Srebfs contributed to the down-regulation of the lipogenic enzymes, since these transcription factors bind the promoter region to enhance their expression. The plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were reduced with statistical significance in the group given a diet containing GT-W. These results suggest that in addition to EGCG, green tea contains some component(s) which may help to prevent arteriosclerosis and obesity.

Many biological activities of green tea have been attributed to a major constituent, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We previously reported that EGCG and a catechin-rich green tea beverage modulated the gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), in the mouse liver. However, it remains to be examined whether or not a constituent other than EGCG contributes to the change in gene expression of these enzymes. In this study, we separated the hot water infusion of green tea leaves (GT) into an ethanol-soluble fraction (GT-E) and an EGCG-free water-soluble fraction (GT-W), and examined their effects using rat hepatoma H4IIE cells. The inclusion of GT, GT-E, and GT-W in the culture medium reduced the gene expression of G6Pase and PEPCK. GT-W caused a decrease in expression of the transcription factor HNF4α. Reduced levels of PEPCK and HNF4α proteins were demonstrated in the cells treated with GT-W. GT-W showed an activity similar to insulin, but different from EGCG. Administration of GT-W to mice for 4 weeks reduced the hepatic expression of G6Pase, PEPCK, and HNF4α. These results suggest that green tea contains some component(s) with insulin-like activity distinguishable from EGCG and that drinking green tea may help to prevent diabetes.

Green tea and its constituent (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) are known to have apoptosis-inducing activity on tumor cells including human leukemia HL-60 cells, providing an explanation for their anti-cancer effects. In the present study, we compared the sensitivity of undifferentiated cells and differentiated HL-60 cells with normal-like phenotypic characters. HL-60 cells treated with three differentiating agents were found to be resistant to EGCG-mediated apoptosis as compared with undifferentiated cells. Gene and protein expression of 67 kDa laminin receptor was down-regulated in differentiated HL-60 cells, suggesting its contribution to the difference in sensitivity in view of the fact that the receptor is a target of EGCG's action to induce apoptosis. The finding supports the view that EGCG induces apoptosis preferentially in cancer cells as compared with normal counterparts.

Normal rats were given catechin-rich green tea as drinking fluid and the effects on hepatic gene expression were examined. The results of DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated the down-regulated expression of genes for glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and fatty acid synthase, and the up-regulated expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha in the rats given green tea for 4 weeks as compared with the water-given animals. One may expect anti-diabetic activity by catechin-rich green tea through its chronic down-regulatory effect on G6Pase expression.