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Hepatotoxicity from green tea: a review of the literature and two unpublished cases
Gabriela Mazzanti1, Francesca Menniti-Ippolito, Paola Angela Moro
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy. gabriela.mazzanti@uniroma1.it
Purpose:
To review the current literature on suspected green tea-related hepatic reactions and to describe two new cases reported within the framework of the Italian surveillance system of natural health products.
Results:
A literature search of publication between 1999 and October 2008 retrieved 34 cases of hepatitis. Histological examination of the liver revealed inflammatory reactions, cholestasis, occasional steatosis, and necrosis. A positive dechallenge was reported in 29 cases. There was one reported death. A positive rechallenge occurred in seven cases (20%). In the two new cases, the causality assessment was judged as "possible" according to the RUCAM score.
Conclusions:
Our analysis of the published case reports suggests a causal association between green tea and liver damage. The hepatotoxicity is probably due to (-)-epigallocatechin gallate or its metabolites which, under particular conditions related to the patient's metabolism, can induce oxidative stress in the liver. In a few cases, toxicity related to concomitant medications could also be involved.
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