Both aluminum and polyphenols in green tea decoction (Camellia sinensis) affect iron status and hematological parameters in rats.

BACKGROUND: Green tea leaves naturally contain high levels of polyphenols and aluminum (Al). Polyphenols in green tea decoction are considered to be one of the major factors responsible of low iron status. However, the effects of Al from green tea decoction on iron status and hematological parameters remained unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective was to investigate the Al absorption from green tea decoction and studied its influence on iron status and hematological parameters in rats. METHODS: During the experiment period, rats were given the experimental diet + a simple dose of Al sulfate with or without graded doses of green tea decoction (25, 50 and 100 g/l). The Al absorption was evaluated in the serum; however, iron status was evaluated by the iron concentration in the liver, kidney, spleen and femur. In addition, the hemoglobin and hematocrit were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that the serum Al significantly increased between 61.5 and 342%, as tea doses-dependant. The Al sulfate significantly decreased the reserve of iron in all studied organs between 21.7 and 17% (P < 0.05). In groups receiving green tea decoction alone or Al + graded doses of tea, the reserve of iron significantly decreased in all studied organs between 59.4 and 18.5% (P < 0.01). Al alone or associated with drinking doses of tea significantly decreased hemoglobin concentration between 23.6 and 9% (P < 0.05) and hematocrit between 12.7 and 7% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that Al from green tea decoction was more absorbed in the serum than Al sulfate. Al absorption was associated with low iron status and reduction of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Considering that Al competes with iron in different stage of erythropoiesis including transferrin binding, so we could assume that the negative effect of tea on iron status arises not only from polyphenols iron complexes but also from Al released in tea decoction.

Effect of green tea decoction on long-term iron, zinc and selenium status of rats.

AIMS: The objective was to examine the effect of green tea decoction given at two different concentrations on the long-term (6 weeks) iron, zinc and selenium status of rats. METHODS: During the experimental period, the rats were given ad libitum a basic diet + ultra pure water (control group), a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 50 g/l (tea 50 group), or a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 100 g/l (tea 100 group). The zinc and iron status was evaluated by determining their concentrations in the serum, blood precipitate, liver, spleen, femur, heart and kidney. Selenium status was evaluated by the serum selenium concentration and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity. RESULTS: Green tea decoction significantly reduced serum iron by 26% in the tea groups (p < 0.01). The blood precipitate of iron was significantly decreased by 25 and 41% in the tea 50 and tea 100 groups (p < 0.01), respectively. The reserve of iron stored in the liver, spleen and femur was significantly reduced in the tea 100 group by 32% (p < 0.02), 20% (p < 0.04) and 35% (p < 0.005), respectively. Moreover, the two concentrations of green tea significantly decreased the reserve of iron stored in the kidney (p < 0.005) and heart (p < 0.02). In contrast with its effects on iron status, green tea decoction significantly increased the serum zinc in the tea 100 group by 24% (p < 0.001). It also increased the blood precipitate of zinc by 50 (p < 0.01) and 75% (p < 0.0001) in tea 50 and tea 100 groups, respectively. In the kidney, heart and femur, zinc significantly increased in the tea groups dependent on the tea dose. Similarly, the high concentration of green tea decoction significantly increased the serum selenium concentration by 16% (p < 0.004). In addition, both concentrations of green tea decoction significantly increased the whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity by 102 and 130% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Green tea decoction reduced the iron status and improved the zinc and selenium status of rats. These effects may constitute another beneficial effect of the green tea decoction which could play an important role in the antioxidant processes.