Lee Swanson Research Update

Preliminary Study Shows Green Tea May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis

May 2007

Researchers at the University of Michigan believe green tea holds promise for easing the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis. A recent study took a closer look at green tea, already touted for its cardiovascular and anticancer benefits. Lead researcher Sala-uddin Ahmed called the study a good "starting point."

According to a report filed by the National Institute of Health's HealthDay News, Ahmed isolated cells called synovial fibroblasts from the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These cells form a lining of tissue surrounding the capsule of the joints. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, this lining is inflamed, leading to long-term joint damage and chronic pain.

The research team cultured the cells and exposed them to the active ingredient in green tea, a compound named epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Next, the cells were stimulated with a protein of the immune system known to play a role in causing joint degradation in rheumatoid arthritis. The protein is called cytokine interleukin-1 beta or IL-1B.

In an earlier study, according to HealthDay News, Ahmed's team found that fibroblasts pretreated with EGCG and then stimulated with cytokine IL-1B were better able to block IL-1B's ability to produce damaging proteins and enzymes. Those proteins and enzymes can infiltrate the joints and cause the cartilage breakdown seen in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

In the more recent study, the researchers focused on whether EGCG had the ability to block the activity of two potent molecules, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), which also play a role in breaking down bone in a rheumatoid arthritis joint.

The two molecules were suppressed by the EGCG, Ahmed's team found, noting that the EGCG "blocked them significantly." EGCG also blocked the production of prostaglandin E2, another compound that can cause joint inflammation.

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