The report summarized research done at the Center for Women's Health Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Meharry Medical College in Nashville. The January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology published the findings.

The team of researchers tested the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on fibroid tumors (leiomyoma) in rat cells and in nude mice, in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Diseased cells were introduced into the cells and mice, which were then fed doses of EGCG in the form of green tea extract in their drinking water.

An inhibitory effect in the growth of the diseased cells was noted after 24 hours of treatment. According to an abstract of the report, the EGCG treatment "dramatically reduced the volume and weight of tumors at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment." The team concluded that "EGCG effectively inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in rat ELT3 uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro and in vivo."

The researchers, who have focused on finding treatments for uterine fibroids, were encouraged by the results. A statement released this week noted that 40 percent of reproductive age women suffer from the disease, which can be extremely painful, even debilitating.

"If we can prove this compound is effective, millions of women can start self treatment and self management," Dr. Ayman Al-Hendy, who led the study, said in the statement. -- DPA

Ref: Sun2Surf Malaysia

29 January 2010

Xiaoli Chen, M.D., post-doctoral fellow, was first author of the study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The study, conducted in collaboration with investigators from the Shanghai Institute of Preventive Medicine, examined 1,399 women enrolled in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study in China.

Each woman was interviewed about her exercise and diet habits six months following a breast cancer diagnosis. The women were interviewed again approximately 18 months after diagnosis and they also reported on their depressive symptoms. Twenty-six percent of the women reported depression during the follow-up survey - 13.4 percent had mild depression and 12.6 percent had clinical depression.

Depression may reduce a patient's quality of life, increase the length of hospital stays and affect compliance with cancer therapy.

"We found that all types of exercise decreased the risk for clinical depression," said Shu. "Women who exercised for two or more hours per week, and those who expended more energy during exercise were less likely to have depression than women who did not exercise."

Those patients who increased their exercise level during the follow-up period were 42 percent less likely to report overall depression. However, quitting exercise or reducing exercise was not related to increased depression.

Women also were questioned about their tea-drinking habits and investigators estimated the amount of tea consumed.

"Tea consumption after diagnosis was inversely associated with the risk for mild depression," said Shu. "Lifetime tea consumption also was inversely related to depression. This is the first epidemiologic evidence that tea consumption may be associated with lower risk for depression among breast cancer survivors, although this was not a prespecified hypothesis. This inverse association was independent of other risk factors for depression."

Since this study was conducted among Chinese women living in Shanghai, the type of tea most commonly consumed was green tea. Tea and its constituents contain high levels of caffeine and catechin polyphenols, which have demonstrated antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The study is ongoing and will allow the investigators to evaluate how depression changes over time and to assess the long-term effects of exercise and tea consumption on depression among breast cancer survivors.

Other investigators include Wei Lu, M.D., Ph.D., Ying Zheng, M.D., M.P.H., Kai Gu, M.D., Zhi Chen, M.D., Ph.D., and Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

The research was supported by grants from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and the National Cancer Institute. -- by Dagny Stewart

Ref: The Reporter, Vanderbilt Medical Center Newspaper

28 January 2010

New research suggests that sipping tea may shield you from endometrial cancer. A type of cancer that forms in the tissue lining the uterus, endometrial cancer is estimated to have caused 7,780 deaths in the U.S. in 2009.

For a recently published review, researchers sized up several studies on the role of black tea and green tea in the prevention of endometrial cancer. Results revealed that increasing tea consumption by two cups daily was linked to a 25 percent reduced risk for endometrial cancer. Furthermore, the protective effect of green tea on endometrial cancer seemed more evident than that of black tea.

Although their analysis indicates that tea - especially green tea - may help guard against endometrial cancer, the review's authors warn that more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.

Rich in antioxidants, green tea may protect against other types of cancer, according to a previous research review. Publishing their findings last year, scientists analyzed 51 studies and found "limited moderate to strong evidence" for green tea's ability to help prevent lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer. -- by Cathy Wong

Ref: About.com

26 January 2010

The report summarized research done at the Center for Women's Health Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Meharry Medical College in Nashville. The January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology published the findings.

The team of researchers tested the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on fibroid tumors (leiomyoma) in rat cells and in nude mice, in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Diseased cells were introduced into the cells and mice, which were then fed doses of EGCG in the form of green tea extract in their drinking water.

An inhibitory effect in the growth of the diseased cells was noted after 24 hours of treatment. According to an abstract of the report, the EGCG treatment "dramatically reduced the volume and weight of tumors at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment." The team concluded that "EGCG effectively inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in rat ELT3 uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro and in vivo."

The researchers, who have focused on finding treatments for uterine fibroids, were encouraged by the results. A statement released this week noted that 40 percent of reproductive age women suffer from the disease, which can be extremely painful, even debilitating.

"If we can prove this compound is effective, millions of women can start self treatment and self management," Dr. Ayman Al-Hendy, who led the study, said in the statement.-- by WTN Staff 

Ref: American Journal 0f Obstetrics & Gynecology