Modulation of cholesterol metabolism by the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in cultured human liver (HepG2) cells

Christina A. Bursill, Paul D. Roach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Epidemiological and animal studies have found that green tea is associated with lower plasma cholesterol. This study aimed to further elucidate how green tea modulates cholesterol metabolism. When HepG2 cells were incubated with the main green tea constituents, the catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was the only catechin to increase LDL receptor binding activity (3-fold) and protein (2.5-fold) above controls. EGCG increased the conversion of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) to its active form (+56%) and lowered the cellular cholesterol concentration (-28%). At 50 μM, EGCG significantly lowered cellular cholesterol synthesis, explaining the reduction in cellular cholesterol. At 200 μM EGCG, cholesterol synthesis was significantly increased even though cellular cholesterol was lower, but there was a significant increase seen in medium cholesterol. This indicates that, at 200 μM, EGCG increases cellular cholesterol efflux. This study provides mechanisms by which green tea modulates cholesterol metabolism and indicates that EGCG might be its active constituent.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1621-1626
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume54
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 8 Mar 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Catechins
  • Cholesterol
  • Cholesterol synthesis
  • Lathosterol
  • SREBP-1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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