Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 102-111 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 107 Olcha et al. (2022) illustrates the interplay between genetic factors, lifestyle, and diet in influencing endometrial cancer (EC) risk. It emphasizes obesity and associated conditions like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome as significant risk enhancers due to their role in promoting oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. The figure also highlights the potential benefits of tea polyphenols in reducing EC risk by interfering with inflammatory processes, regulating immune responses, and influencing gene expression. These polyphenols can mitigate factors like insulin resistance and oxidative stress, contributing to cancer prevention. The overall message underscores the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and dietary interventions, particularly the consumption of tea, in reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. 6 Clinical Trials 6.1 Overview of clinical trials involving tea polyphenols Tea polyphenols (TP) have been extensively studied for their potential health benefits, particularly in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Clinical trials have explored various aspects of TP, including their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, involving different types of tea such as green tea, black tea, and specific varieties like Anji white tea and small-leaved Kuding tea. 6.2 Insights from recent clinical findings Recent clinical findings have provided valuable insights into the efficacy of TP in chronic disease prevention. For example, clinical trials have shown that TP can positively impact cardiovascular health by reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and improving lipid profiles, with polyphenols from green tea, cocoa, and berries demonstrating significant effects in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors (Cicero and Colletti, 2018; Giglio et al., 2018). Studies involving green tea polyphenols (GTP) and Anji white tea polyphenols (AJWTP) have shown promising results in preventing liver injury by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and reducing oxidative stress markers, thereby protecting liver cells from damage (Diao et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2019). Furthermore, TP have been found to protect neuronal cells from oxidative stress and DNA damage induced by harmful substances like methamphetamine. This neuroprotective effect is attributed to the enhancement of DNA repair mechanisms and the reduction of oxidative stress (Ru et al., 2019). Small-leaved Kuding tea polyphenols (PSLKDT) have demonstrated significant anti-aging effects by improving antioxidant enzyme activities and reducing oxidative damage in various tissues. This suggests that TP can be effective in preventing age-related oxidative stress and associated diseases (Liu et al., 2019). TP also have shown potential in modulating gut flora and protecting the intestinal mucosa. Clinical trials have indicated that TP can alleviate intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby improving gut health and preventing related chronic diseases (Zhang et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2022). 6.3 Challenges in clinical research of tea polyphenols Clinical research on tea polyphenols (TP) has yielded many promising findings, but several challenges remain. The bioavailability of TP varies significantly depending on the type of tea and the individual's metabolism, and this variability can affect the consistency of clinical outcomes (Giglio et al., 2018). Determining the optimal dosage and standardizing TP extracts for clinical use also presents a challenge, as different studies use varying doses and forms of TP, making it difficult to compare results and establish clear guidelines (Cicero and Colletti, 2018). Many clinical trials are short-term, necessitating long-term studies to fully understand the chronic effects of TP consumption. Further investigation is required to assess the long-term adherence to TP supplementation and its sustained effects on chronic disease prevention (Giglio et al., 2018). Additionally, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, and genetic differences among study participants can confound the results of clinical trials. Therefore, controlling these variables is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable data (Rudrapal et al., 2022a). While the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of TP are well-documented, the precise mechanisms through which they exert their effects are not yet fully understood. Further research is needed to elucidate these mechanisms and their implications for chronic disease prevention (Yan et al., 2020).
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