Skip to Content
MilliporeSigma
  • Regulatory T-cell modulation by green tea in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Regulatory T-cell modulation by green tea in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology (2013-03-27)
G D'Arena, V Simeon, L De Martino, T Statuto, F D'Auria, S Volpe, S Deaglio, A Maidecchi, L Mattoli, V Mercati, P Musto, V De Feo
ABSTRACT

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered to be key immunomodulatory cells of the immune system and are increased in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Rai stage 0 identifies patients with early stage CLL for which there is no effective intervention at the present time and a "wait and see" policy is usually adopted. Some biological and clinical studies have reported that green tea constituents, such as epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), have antitumor effects on hematologic malignancies including CLL. We report data on a clinical trial in which green tea extracts were given orally to 12 patients with stage 0 CLL and 12 healthy subjects. Ten patients and 10 controls completed the 6-month scheduled therapy. Two patients and 2 controls stopped therapy within 1 month because of tachycardia and epigastralgia. Eight out 10 evaluable patients (80 percent) showed a reduction of lymphocytosis and absolute number of circulating Tregs, as well. One patient (10 percent) had a stabilization of lymphocytosis and a reduction of Tregs, and 1 patient (10 percent) showed an increase of both lymphocytosis and Tregs. Only the non-responding patient progressed after 5 months from the end of green tea administration and chemotherapy was given. Interestingly, both IL-10 and TGF-beta serum levels declined throughout the green tea intake period, in both patients and controls. These data seem to indicate that green tea is able to modulate circulating Tregs in CLL patients with early stage of the disease. This can result in the control of lymphocytosis as well as in the prevention of disease progression.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
(−)-Epicatechin, ≥98% (HPLC), from green tea
Sigma-Aldrich
(−)-Epicatechin, ≥90% (HPLC)
Supelco
(−)-Epicatechin, analytical standard
Supelco
Caffeine solution, 1.0 mg/mL in methanol, ampule of 1 mL, certified reference material, Cerilliant®
Epicatechin, primary reference standard
Caffeine for system suitability, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Supelco
Melting point standard 235-237°C, analytical standard
Supelco
Caffeine solution, analytical standard, 1.0 mg/mL in methanol
Supelco
Caffeine Melting Point Standard, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, SAJ special grade, ≥98.5%
Supelco
(+)-Catechin, analytical standard
Supelco
(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate, analytical standard
Supelco
Caffeine, certified reference material, TraceCERT®, Manufactured by: Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Switzerland
Supelco
Caffeine, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Sigma-Aldrich
(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate, ≥95%
Sigma-Aldrich
(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate, ≥80% (HPLC), from green tea
Epigallocatechin gallate, primary reference standard
Supelco
Mettler-Toledo Calibration substance ME 18872, Caffeine, traceable to primary standards (LGC)
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, powder, ReagentPlus®
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, meets USP testing specifications, anhydrous
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, BioXtra
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, anhydrous, tested according to Ph. Eur.
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, anhydrous, 99%, FCC, FG
Sigma-Aldrich
Caffeine, Sigma Reference Standard, vial of 250 mg
Caffeine, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard