Consumption of Green Tea ( Camellia sinensis ) Improves Lipid, Hepatic, and Hematological Profiles of Rats That Are Submitted to Long-Term Androgenic Stimulation

Abstract

Indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids is associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and arterial obstruction. Furthermore, high levels of androgens increase hepatic toxicity and the risk of cancer. Contrastingly, green tea prevents and controls cardiovascular and hepatic diseases, as it can improve the lipid profile and reduce inflammation and effects of oxidative stress. This study will evaluate benefits of green tea consumption, to attenuate systemic damage caused by supraphysiological doses of testosterone, by analyzing the lipid, biochemical, and hematological profiles of 28 42-day-old male Wistar rats. Silicone pellets containing testosterone in proportion were surgically implanted and replaced in these rats every four weeks, and they received casein-based control feed and water or green tea for hydration. After 20 weeks, all the male rats were anesthetized and their blood samples collected for the analysis of their biochemical and hematological profiles. Although the high hormone concentration had a negative influence on the lipid profile of these animals, the groups that consumed green tea exhibited a reduction in serum triglycerides (62%), Low Density Lipoprotein (76%), and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (45%). Tea consumption also led to a significant reduction in total cholesterol (32% in the green tea control group and 45% in the green tea-induced group), without changing the High Density Lipoprotein fraction. Only the green tea-induced group manifested a reduction in the total concentration of serum proteins. A fall in serum albumin was observed in the green tea-induced groups (2.3 g/dL) compared to control groups (2.9 g/dL). The induced group presented elevation in hematocrit, erythrocytosis, and leukocytosis in contrast to the green tea-induced group. The green tea control group maintained erythrocytosis, but without any other potentially harmful effect. A 30% increase in lymphocyte population in the induced group was observed. There was no difference in the platelet count of these rodents. Hepatic enzymes were also shown to have increased in the induced group, indicating hepatic injury in this group due to exposure to testosterone. This effect was reversed in the tea groups. From this, its possible to reach the conclusion that consumption of green tea shields the lipid profile, proteins, liver enzymes and hematological profile, thus reducing risk factors related to the supraphysiological doses of testosterone.