Parkinson’s
disease (PD) is a slowly progressive, and neurodegenerative disorder. Several
factors, such as aging, genetics, environment, oxidative stress, and
inflammation, are involved in PD risk and progression. Among these factors,
oxidative stress is critical in initiating and promoting neurodegeneration.
Antioxidants via
improving the antioxidant defense system offer a promising approach to protect
neuronal cells by removing free radicals, scavenging reactive oxygen species
(ROS) or their precursors, maintaining redox homeostasis, and decreasing
oxidative damage. In this paper, the authors hypothesized that green tea
consumption (3 cups daily for 3 months) would improve antioxidant status and
reduces oxidative damage in Parkinson’s disease based on its antioxidant effect.
Fifteen subjects
who were within the first five years of PD, on stable PD medication, and not
regular green tea consumers were recruited. Iron status, oxidative stress and
PD status were evaluated before and after 3 months of green tea consumption.
Hemoglobin, serum iron, iron saturation and ferritin concentrations were used
to assess iron status. Antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide
dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to determine
antioxidant status. Lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls were measured as
oxidative damage markers. Wilcoxon matched paired t-tests were used to compare
the changes in PD rating scales and student t-tests were used to compare the
changes in antioxidant enzymes, TBARS, protein carbonyls, and iron status
between baseline and post-intervention.
The results showed
that there were no changes in total motor scores of the Unified Parkinson’s
Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), PDQ-39 total scores and various iron status
markers after 3 months. Catalase (p < 0.05) and SOD activities (p <
0.005) were increased significantly indicating an improvement of antioxidant
status. Both lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls decreased by ~52% (p <
0.01) with green tea consumption, indicating less oxidative stress.
In conclusion, this
3-month green tea intervention significantly improved antioxidant status and
reduced oxidative damage in early PD patients without affecting their iron
status. Based on this pilot study, a future study including a large number of
subjects, the use of an EGCG supplement possibly along with a treatment
regimen, and an age-matched control group will be useful to clarify the effect
of EGCG on the clinical symptoms and progression of PD.
Article by D. Chen, et al, from USA.
Full access: http://t.cn/EVhT01C
Image by Afnan Khawari, from
Flickr-cc.
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