Green tea polyphenols inhibit testosterone production (?!)

JDRG

JDRG

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I just came across this study on pubmed.com by accident:

This study investigated the acute effects of green tea extract (GTE) and its polyphenol constituents, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin (EC), on basal and stimulated testosterone production by rat Leydig cells in vitro. Leydig cells purified in a Percoll gradient were incubated for 3 h with GTE, EGCG or EC and the testosterone precursor androstenedione, in the presence or absence of either protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC) activators. The reversibility of the effect was studied by pretreating cells for 15 min with GTE or EGCG, allowing them to recover for 1 h and challenging them for 2 h with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol or androstenedione. GTE and EGCG, but not EC, inhibited both basal and kinase-stimulated testosterone production. Under the pretreatment conditions, the inhibitory effect of the higher concentration of GTE/EGCG on hCG/LHRH-stimulated or 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol-induced testosterone production was maintained, whereas androstenedione-supported testosterone production returned to control levels. At the lower concentration of GTE/EGCG, the inhibitory effect of these polyphenols on 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol-supported testosterone production was reversed. The inhibitory effects of GTE may be explained by the action of its principal component, EGCG, and the presence of a gallate group in its structure seems important for its high efficacy in inhibiting testosterone production. The mechanisms underlying the effects of GTE and EGCG involve the inhibition of the PKA/PKC signalling pathways, as well as the inhibition of P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase function.Asian Journal of Andrology advance online publication. 30 March 2009; doi: 10.1038/aja.2009.2.

..and was pretty shocked :eek: bc I take about 100mg EGCG a day as antioxidant
The study was published 3 weeks ago... what do you guys think? :dunno:

PS: My english is not perfect ;) Maybe I missunderstood something? If so pls enlighten me *g*
 
JDRG

JDRG

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Do you think it's a reason for not taking green tea caps anymore? Or is the effect insignificant?
 
Steveoph

Steveoph

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This was brought up last week, and I'll quote Eric of Primordial Performance's reply
There is a certain anti-androgen effect of green tea, which is why it holds such benefit in prostate and cancer prevention.

Im not sure if anyone has examined a direct dose relationship and testosterone levels in humans. I suspect it would be marginal and partly offset by the reduction in adipose tissue and aromatase.
 
Wordz_Worf

Wordz_Worf

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I do not use Green Tea supplements but I drink a good amount of it,never really noticed anything negative and I average about 3 cups of it a day,sometimes 6.

Green Tea + fresh Spearmint is a great drink and awesome for digestion.
 

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