Rheumatoid Arthritis Breakthrough?

Green Tea Compound Suppresses Factors Causing Cartilage, Bone Destruction In Arthritis is a Biocompare article which discusses the possible benefits that may be derived from a compound derived from green tea. The compound is known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate or the acronym EGCG. Its usefullness may lie in a capacity to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is brought about as a result of a defective immunological response resulting in inflamation, pain and eventual destruction to bones and cartilage composing joints. It appears that the body attacks its own tissue rather than the invading pathogens it is designed to defend against.

What EGCG does is inhibit the production of specific biochemicals believed to be connected to inflamation. Two of these are interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2. A related study was presented by a scientist named Dr. Salah-uddin Ahmed as part of a program of the American Society for Nutrition.

Biochemicals are involved in mechanisms, known as cell signaling pathways, which regulate immunological responses. It is such pathways that are studied in order to determine the effects of the green tea compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Possible future treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with EGCG are made possible by learning what specific parts of signaling pathways are inhibited and how. A next step will entail studies of mice and then perhaps humans. Further research results are awaited with anticipation.