Effect of green tea powder or green tea extract on weight gain and plasma and liver lipids in pair fed hypercholesterolemic rats.

We examined the effects of 10% green tea powder or 3% green tea extract on weight gain, plasma and liver lipids, platelet aggregation and erythrocyte membrane stability in rats pair fed 5% cholesterol diets. The final body weight of rats with green tea extract was 8% lower than that of rats with control diet (P£¼0.1). Plasma and liver total cholesterol were somewhat lower in rats fed green tea powder or extract, but not statistically different. HDL cholesterol was increased significantly in rats fed green tea powder (P£¼0.05). Plasma triglyceride was significantly decreased in green tea extract compared with the control (P£¼0.05). Liver triglyceride was significantly decreased in groups fed green tea power or green tea extract compared with the control (P£¼0.01). Platelet aggregations of the maximum and initial slope were not different among groups. AAPH induced erythrocyte Na leak was significantly decreased in groups with green tea powder and extract (P£¼0.01) and hemolysis was also significantly lower in rats fed green tea powder (P£¼0.05). Consumption of green tea in powder or extract may be effective in reducing weight gain which may be associated with the lower plasma and liver triglyceride. Green tea may give erythrocyte membrane stability with its antioxidant effects.