Effects of the main green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate on cardiac involvement in patients with AL amyloidosis

Clin Res Cardiol. 2010 Aug;99(8):483-90. doi: 10.1007/s00392-010-0142-x. Epub 2010 Mar 10.

Abstract

Background: Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare disease with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic alternatives. Recently, one clinical case with cardiac involvement, as well as a compelling evidence of green tea polyphenol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), inducing the formation of benign aggregation products that do not polymerize into fibrils were published. This is a report of the cardiac effects of green tea consumption in these patients.

Methods: Patients with known cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis were examined by routine cardiovascular examinations that took place every 3-6 months. Of 59 patients with cardiac involvement, 11 revealed a decrease of at least 2 mm of interventricular wall thickness, after initiation of regular green tea consumption (GT). A matched historic control group (n = 22) was selected. Comprehensive echocardiography was conducted at every control examination and analyzed offline by two independent examiners.

Results: GT patients showed an improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class from a median of 3 (25th, 75th percentiles: 2, 3) to 2 (2, 3), P = 0.038. Septal thickness decreased from 18 (18, 20) to 16 (16, 17) mm, P = 0.021. Left ventricular mass index decreased from 175 (154, 180) to 133 (128, 154) g/m(2), P = 0.007. Comparing both groups, an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction could be found in the GT group, 65 (51, 73) versus 53 (47, 59)%, P = 0.012. These changes could not be observed in the control group.

Conclusion: Consumption of green tea polyphenol EGCG in patients with cardiac involvement with AL amyloidosis causes a significant decrease in left ventricular wall thickness and mass, as well as an improvement in NYHA functional classification and left ventricular ejection fraction.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis / complications*
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis / diet therapy*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Tea / chemistry*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / etiology*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate