就罹患類風濕性關節(jié)炎 (Rheumatoid Arthritis)的病人來說,，身體里原本存在的免疫系統(tǒng),，會因為不明的原因，異常的攻擊自己的關節(jié)組織,，造成組織的疼痛腫脹,，嚴重的還可以引發(fā)骨骼關節(jié)結(jié)構(gòu)的破壞，軟骨滑液組織崩解,，不但造成局部的疼痛,，還會嚴重的影響日常的生活。
美國密西根大學醫(yī)學院 (University of Michigan Medical School)的科學家 Salah-uddin Ahmed博士,，在美國營養(yǎng)學會 (American Society for Nutrition)2007年的年度科學會議上,，提出一分新的研究報告指出，該研究團隊從綠茶 (green tea)中,，萃取到一個稱為 EGCG(epigallocatechin-3-gallate)的活性分子,，可以抑制骨骼在發(fā)生傷害性發(fā)炎反應時,，幾個發(fā)炎分子的發(fā)生，而且對于類風濕性關節(jié)炎的病人而言,， EGCG可以有效的阻止骨發(fā)炎結(jié)締組織中介白素 -6(interleukin-6簡稱 IL-6)和 prostaglandin E2的產(chǎn)生,。
Ahmed 博士的研究團隊在先前的實驗中，就發(fā)現(xiàn)從風濕性關節(jié)炎病人的滑液腔中,，所分離出的纖維組織母細胞(Fibroblasts) ,，可以透過體外培養(yǎng)的技術，確認綠茶中存在著可以阻斷發(fā)炎分子IL-1s 的產(chǎn)生的活性物存在,，而這次所確定的 EGCG 分子,，更證實原本在病人關節(jié)中，參與骨質(zhì)耗損的IL-6 和cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) 都會因為EGCG的存在,，而大幅的降低分解骨質(zhì)的發(fā)炎活動,，將來只要掌握 EGCG的作用過程，也許只要飲用特定的綠茶飲料,，就可以避免骨關節(jié)發(fā)炎的發(fā)生,。
(資料來源 : biocompare)
英文原文:
Green Tea Compound Suppresses Factors Causing Cartilage, Bone Destruction In Arthritis
4/29/2007
Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
In rheumatoid arthritis, a person’s own immune system attacks the joints by activating the synovial tissue that lines the body’s movable joints, causing inflammation, swelling, pain and eventually erosion of the bone and cartilage and deformation of the joint. It is among the most debilitating forms of arthritis, often making difficult even the simplest of daily activities.
In a study presented April 29 at Experimental Biology 2007, University of Michigan Medical School scientist Dr. Salah-uddin Ahmed reports that a compound derived from green tea was able to inhibit production of several immune system molecules involved in inflammation and joint damage. The compound, named epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an active principal of green tea extract, is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule, and also was able to inhibit production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2, the inflammatory products found in the connective tissue of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Ahmed’s Experimental Biology presentation was part of the scientific program of the American Society for Nutrition.
Synovial fibroblasts (cells that form a lining of synovial tissue surrounding the capsule of the joints) were isolated from the joints of the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, cultured in growth medium, and incubated with EGCG. Synovial fibroblasts were then stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß, a protein of the immune system known to play an important role in causing joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.
In an earlier study published by Dr. Ahmed’s research group last fall, the researchers showed some interesting and novel findings when EGCG pretreated synovial fibroblasts were stimulated with the cytokine IL-1ß to study the protective effect of this green tea compound. Compared to untreated synovial fibroblasts, the cells treated with EGCG markedly blocked IL-1ß’s ability to produce the proteins and enzymes that infiltrate the joints of persons with rheumatoid arthritis causing cartilage degradation.
The scientists decided to extend their study to see if the green tea compound also has the capability to block the activity of two other potent molecules, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), actively involved in causing bone erosion in the RA joint. In the new study presented at Experimental Biology, the scientists once again isolated synovial fibroblasts taken from the joints of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and incubated these cells with the green tea compound. When untreated cells were stimulated with IL-1ß, a sequence of molecular events occurred that resulted in production of the bone-destructive molecules. But the scientists found that pre-incubation with EGCG was capable of blocking the production of these molecules in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGCG also inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2, which causes inflammation in the joints.
The cell signaling pathways that regulate levels of these immune system molecules under both normal and rheumatoid arthritis situations is well established, and the researchers were able to trace the effects of the green tea compound infusion to see that it worked by inhibiting these pathways.
Dr. Ahmed says that these studies suggest that EGCG or molecules that could be derived synthetically from the EGCG found in green tea may be of therapeutic value in inhibiting the joint destruction in this challenging disease. The laboratory now is focused on the inhibitory role of EGCG in gene expression. The scientists plan to give EGCG orally to mice genetically bred to be animal models of rheumatoid arthritis to see if it provides similar therapeutic or preventive effects. Dr. Ahmed believes these studies will form a strong foundation for future testing of green tea compounds in humans with rheumatoid arthritis.
