Assessment of Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Green Tea in Critically Ill Patients with Pneumonia

Abstract Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is common in critically ill patients and negatively affects clinical outcomes. Preventing oxidative damage, may suppress this systemic response. Previous studies confirmed that polyphenols in green tea have both antioxidant and immuno-stimulant effect, so there could be a probability of green tea clinical application. Two groups of 8 patients enrolled in this randomized, controlled clinical trial. Treatment group received Green Tea Extract (GTE), and placebo group received extract's solvent for 7 days. Blood samples taken 3 times/week and oxidative, physiologic and inflammatory markers were measured. Results: Differences between the baselines for each variable were not significant. FRAP value showed slower decrease in GTE group. Thiol level increased in GTE group and decreased in Placebo group. IL-6 and APACHE II score were lower in GTE group on day7. Leucocyte count showed overall increase in GTE group and decrease in placebo group. Differences between two groups in all aforementioned variables were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: As a conclusion green tea had no significant effect on all measured variables; but in GTE group despite better oxidative status in the first 3 days, more inflammation was observed on day7. Considering small sample size further investigations are needed.