Effect of Green Tea Consumption on Selected Metabolic Biomarkers in Asian Indian Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Evidence for benefits of anti-oxidative power of polyphenols in cardiovascular diseases has been established. In the present study, effect of polyphenol rich green tea on selected metabolic biomarkers among Asian Indian women with metabolic syndrome in normal free living condition has been recorded. Thirty three Asian Indian women (>30 y) confirmed as having metabolic syndrome, were enrolled for the present study based on written informed consent. Subjects were asked to consume three cups of green tea daily for a period of four months. Regular telephonic contact and periodic visit to supply the tea were made to ensure compliance with the intervention and maintenance of lifestyle and dietary pattern, as followed before the experimental period. Parameters analyzed at baseline have been used as control data to eliminate individual variation. Double-blind analysis of selected metabolic markers was done at baseline, 2 months and 4 months of the intervention period. At four months, a significant reduction from baseline was observed in weight (2%), waist circumference (4.5%), blood sugar (4%), glycosylated hemoglobin (4%), total cholesterol (11%) and LDL cholesterol (13%) (p < 0.01). The effect of green tea consumption on BMI, fasting insulin, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels was either inconsistent or non significant. The present study showed that green tea consumption by free living subjects with metabolic syndrome resulted in significant improvements in some of the cardiovascular risk factors including visceral fat, blood sugar and cholesterol level.

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Asian Indian Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality necessitating its early detection. The emergence of newer subclinical biomarkers in addition to the known cardiometabolic risk factors may play an important role in early detection of CVD risk. In the present study, 74 adult females (30 -?75 y) with metabolic syndrome (MS) were selected and additional biochemical parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and Homocysteine (Hcy) levels were analyzed. The average body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference of subjects were found to be 30 kg/m2 and99 cmrespectively. Mean LDL levels were found to be much higher than normal (139 mg/dl) while the HDL levels were low (41.5 mg/dl). The average fasting blood sugar and insulin levels were within the normal range. However, 40.5% females had serum Hcy levels >13.2 μmol/l and 59.5% women had CRP levels >3 mg/L indicating increased risk of CVD. Higher Hcy levels were associated with hyperinsulinemia (p < 0.01) and hyperglycemia (p < 0.05), indicating predilection for glucose intolerance. CRP levels showed significant negative correlation with HDL (p < 0.05), indicating a predilection for glucose intolerance. The present study reports overall more than 40% MS women are classified as high risk group using the Western standards. Limited data on normal levels of inflammatory biomarkers are available for Asian Indians. The study results indicate the importance of Hcy and CRP values among females having metabolic syndrome, known to be at a high risk of CVD.