theanine and Stroke

Epidemiological and clinical studies in recent years have shown that regular consumption of green or black tea significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. This review presents the clinical and experimental studies of the antiatherogenic, antiplatelet, antioxidant, antiinflammatory and other mechanisms of action of tea and substances in its composition. Effects of tea and its components, are described after long-term, and a short-term consumption. The role of catechins and specific amino acid L-theanine in the possible mechanisms of protection against cerebrovascular disease are discussed.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Brain Ischemia; Catechin; Glutamates; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Risk Factors; Stroke; Tea

To evaluate the strength of the in vivo evidence of relationships between flavonoids and risk of stroke.. We reviewed the literature more broadly for flavonoids and stroke and conducted an evidence-based review of original publication experiments on tea or tea components on induced coronary occlusion in animal models and on the observational epidemiology on stroke and either tea or flavonoids in man. Each of the studies was evaluated by two independent reviewers. The evidence in total was compared with the Bradford Hill [1] and Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR)(1) quality-assessment criteria [2].. The search of epidemiologic publications revealed 7 cohort studies on flavonoid intake and stroke and 7 cohort studies and 3 case control studies on tea and stroke. In studies of tea there was a consistent protective effect. However, the epidemiologic research on flavonoids and stroke was much less consistent. Eleven animal experiments were identified that examined tea or tea components and stroke relevant sequelae, eight of which reported on infarct volume. All studies demonstrated reduced infarct volumes in animals exposed either to tea extracts, theanine or tea catechins prior to or shortly after reperfusion.. Hill's criteria of causality are largely met in the case of tea and stroke. A high level of consistency across preclinical studies, of the effect of tea components as single agents effective in reducing stroke volume after middle cerebral artery occlusion, is noted in all rodent models (rat, mouse, and gerbil). Reductions in infarct volume are seen with both tea extracts consumed orally and tea components introduced intra-peritoneally. Observational epidemiology supports this finding in man for tea - the studies are consistent across countries and type of tea and the relative risks are moderately strong. That is not the case for the body of evidence on flavonoid intakes and stroke.

Topics: Animals; Catechin; Disease Models, Animal; Flavonoids; Glutamates; Humans; Mice; Neuroprotective Agents; Stroke; Tea

Green GABA (GGABA) and Oolong GABA (OGABA) teas are relatively new varieties of tea, whose chemical composition and functional properties are largely under-studied, despite their promising health capacities. Post stroke depression (PSD) is a complication of stroke with high clinical relevance, yielding increasing mortality and morbidity rates, and a lower response to common therapies and rehabilitation.. Two chemically characterized commercial samples of GGABA and OGABA were investigated for effects on mood following oral administration using a mouse model of PSD, through common validated tests including the Despair Swimming Test and Tail Suspension Test. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of GGABA and OGABA was evaluated by determining the levels of lipid peroxidation products and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the mouse brain in vivo.. GGABA and OGABA attenuated depressed mood by influencing behavioral parameters linked to depression. GGABA was more active than OGABA in this study, and this effect may be likely due to a higher content of polyphenolic substances and amino acids in GGABA compared to OGABA. GGABA also exerted a greater antioxidant activity.. Our data suggests that GABA tea is a promising candidate that can be used as an adjuvant in the management of PSD.

Topics: Affect; Animals; Depression; Disease Models, Animal; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Glutamates; Glutamic Acid; Glutamine; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Plant Extracts; Polyphenols; Reproducibility of Results; Stroke; Tea