From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-568924-981998
SHREVEPORT, La. (UPI) -- Men who consumed compounds in green tea
showed a reduction in serum markers predictive of prostate cancer
progression, U.S. researchers said.
James A. Cardelli of the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State
University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, and colleagues conducted
an open-label, single-arm, phase II clinical trial to determine the
effects of short-term supplementation with green tea's active
compounds on serum biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer.
The biomarkers include hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial
growth factor and prostate specific antigen. HGF and VEGF are good
prognostic indicators of metastatic disease, Cardelli said.
The study included 26 men, ages 41-72 years, diagnosed with prostate
cancer and scheduled for radical prostatectomy -- removal of the
prostate. Patients consumed four capsules containing Polyphenon E
until the day before surgery -- four capsules are equivalent to about
12 cups of normally brewed concentrated green tea, Cardelli said.
The time of study for 25 of the 26 patients ranged from 12 days to 73
days, with a median time of 34.5 days.
"Unfortunately, this trial was not a randomized trial, which would
have been needed to be more sure that the observed changes were truly
attributable to the green tea components and not to some other
lifestyle change -- better diet, taking vitamins, etc. -- men
undertook in preparation for surgery," Dr. William G. Nelson of The
Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and senior editor for Cancer
Prevention Research said in a statement.