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MPOURLIOS PANAGIOTIS: The synergetic Effect of statin with green tea
extract treatment in patients with Hypercholesterolemia
(Under the supervision of Dr Karatzaferi Xristina)
Cardiovascular diseases constitute the most common cause of death in the developedworld. positive correlation between serum’s cholesterol levels and death fromcardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease. The reduction of plasmalipids levels is one of the main goals of prevention. Research has shown that green teahas beneficial effects on health due to the polyphenolic substances (catechins) that itcontains. Studies have shown that prolonged consumption of polyphenoles has apositive effect on factors related to cardiovascular risk such as obesity, dislipidemiaand various indicators of oxidative stress. However other studies have shown small orno effects at all. The aim of this study was to examine the possible effects of catechinsupplementation, in combination with the classic treatment for the reduction ofhypercholesterolemia, statin therapy, on the treatment’s effectiveness andin thereduction of classic side effects. This study was a randomised, double - blindcontrolled trial done on a sample of 40 volunteers with use of placebo. The study’sparticipants were 12 men and 28 women aged 56,3 ± 9,21 years (Mean ± SD) withhypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol >200 mg/dl) who needed treatment. Thepatients were divided randomly in two groups, one receiving statin and catechin, theother statin and placebo for 12 weeks. he experimental group was given 20 mgatorvastatin (Lipitor) daily and 600 mg. of catechin in capsules, while the controlgroup was given 20 mg atorvastatin (Lipitor) and Placebo in identical capsules of 600mg for the same time period. The patients underwent biochemical evaluation in whichthe serum lipids, the levels of oxidative stress and the antioxidant capacity weremeasured. Body composition was calculated with anthropometric measurements,while the levels of visceral fat, the subcutaneous fat, as well as the level of liver fatinfiltration were examined with the use of computed tomography images. Factorsrelated to the patients’ quality of life were examined by a series of questionnaires. Theresults showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups for bodycomposition.Blood lipids’ levels were significantly decreased in both groups(p<0,001) compared to pre-treatment values, but differences between the two groupswere not statistically significant, despite the fact that the green tea group showed a larger improvement in its lipidemic profile. differences were observed in theoxidative stress levels, nor in the antioxidant capacity between the two teams, neitherin the measured side-effects of statin treatment. Similar results were found in theparameters related to the quality of life of participants, with no statistically significantdifferences, despite the fact that the green tea group consistently scored better in allthe indicators. In conclusion, the combination of green tea extract supplementationand statin therapy improved the lipidemic profile of patients similarly to statin therapyalone. The consumption of green tea is safe and may have beneficial effects inpatients with hyperlipidemia if supplemented for a period of over 12 weeks. Thefindings of this study on the effects of green tea extract supplementation areencouraging however more studies are needed with a larger sample of population andof a longer duration, in order to clarify its contribution in the prevention ofcardiovascular risk.

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