Posted by Katie McKeown ND on Sat, 08/27/2011
A new study from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University has shown that one of the compounds in green tea (EGCG) greatly increases important immune cells that help in the suppression of autoimmune disease. An estimated 4.5 million Canadians suffer from autoimmune diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus. The majority of conventional treatments currently available have long-term side effects due to toxicity and greatly suppress the immune system, leaving patients susceptible to a variety of viral and bacterial infections. The new study shows that 50 mg/kg of green tea derived EGCG has the ability to increase regulatory T cells in mice, which improve the function of the immune system without the negative effects.
The immune system is typically a tightly controlled process where a variety of immune cells work together to destroy unwanted invaders without damaging normal cells. This is regulated by a specific group of cells, including regulatory T cells, which turn the attacking cells on and off when an invader is present. In autoimmune disease, the process becomes dysfunctional and the attacking immune cells begin destroying healthy, normal cells. The resulting wide-spread inflammation in the body is what causes the symptoms of autoimmune disease. By affecting the expression of certain transcription factors of DNA, EGCG has been shown to greatly increase the number of regulatory T cells, thus controlling the immune response and reducing inflammation.
Conventional immune-suppressing drugs are pivotal in the short-term treatment of autoimmune disease and flare-ups and these results do not alter the need for or use of these drugs. It is the long-term toxicity effects that researchers and clinical practitioners alike are searching for. This study has given new hope for a long-term treatment for autoimmune disease that has fewer risks and side effects. In addition, the exciting new research from Oregon State University gives us more evidence that using dietary supplements and plant-based medicine can not only reduce symptoms but also act directly on DNA expression and alter the course of these debilitating diseases.
Immunology Letters
Volume 139, Issues 1-2, 30 September 2011, Pages 7-13
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165247811001258
A new study from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University has shown that one of the compounds in green tea (EGCG) greatly increases important immune cells that help in the suppression of autoimmune disease. An estimated 4.5 million Canadians suffer from autoimmune diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus. The majority of conventional treatments currently available have long-term side effects due to toxicity and greatly suppress the immune system, leaving patients susceptible to a variety of viral and bacterial infections. The new study shows that 50 mg/kg of green tea derived EGCG has the ability to increase regulatory T cells in mice, which improve the function of the immune system without the negative effects.The immune system is typically a tightly controlled process where a variety of immune cells work together to destroy unwanted invaders without damaging normal cells. This is regulated by a specific group of cells, including regulatory T cells, which turn the attacking cells on and off when an invader is present. In autoimmune disease, the process becomes dysfunctional and the attacking immune cells begin destroying healthy, normal cells. The resulting wide-spread inflammation in the body is what causes the symptoms of autoimmune disease. By affecting the expression of certain transcription factors of DNA, EGCG has been shown to greatly increase the number of regulatory T cells, thus controlling the immune response and reducing inflammation.
Conventional immune-suppressing drugs are pivotal in the short-term treatment of autoimmune disease and flare-ups and these results do not alter the need for or use of these drugs. It is the long-term toxicity effects that researchers and clinical practitioners alike are searching for. This study has given new hope for a long-term treatment for autoimmune disease that has fewer risks and side effects. In addition, the exciting new research from Oregon State University gives us more evidence that using dietary supplements and plant-based medicine can not only reduce symptoms but also act directly on DNA expression and alter the course of these debilitating diseases.
Immunology Letters
Volume 139, Issues 1-2, 30 September 2011, Pages 7-13
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165247811001258
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