Effect of black tea polyphenols on plasma lipids in cholesterol-fed rats

The influence of black tea polyphenols on plasma lipid levels was investigated in rats fed a 15% lard and 1% cholesterol diet. The diet was supplemented with 1% black tea polyphenols extracted and condensed from black tea. Rats fed the lard-cholesterol diet showed an increase in plasma cholesterol and liver lipids compared to rats fed a basal diet. The supplementation of black tea polyphenols in this lard-cholesterol diet decreased the lipid levels in the plasma and increased the fecal excretion of total lipids and cholesterol. On the other hands, 1% supplementation of either instant black tea with a 20% polyphenol content of 0.2% supplementation of EGCg in the lard-cholesterol diet had no effect on plasma cholesterol and phospholipid levels. These results suggest that a high dose of black tea polyphenols exerts a hypocholesterolemic effect in cholesterol-fed rats.