Scientist Identified That Green Tea Extract Disturbs Cancer Cell Metabolism

A new research shows how an active component of green tea upsets the metabolism of cancer cells in pancreatic cancer, providing a clarification for its effect on decreasing possibility of cancer and reducing its advancement. The scientists think the finding signals a new method to understanding cancer prevention.

This study was published in the journal Metabolomics, the research investigate the impact of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an active biological agent of green tea. It displays that EGCG modifies the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells by controlling the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A or LDHA, a crucial enzyme in cancer metabolism.

Metabolism is all the chemical responses that take place in cells – like as obtaining and using energy – that hold them alive, developing and reproducing. These cells can be usual, and they can also be dangerous.

Several research have earlier recommended green tea and its components may offer appropriate therapies for cancer, along with other health conditions.

For instance, one study published in 2012 recommended that consuming green tea may reduce risk of digestive system cancers in females while one more identified EGCG delivered intravenously directly to tumors made two-thirds of them reduce or disappear within few days.

EGCG upsets metabolism in cancer cells by controlling LDHA

But, till this latest study, from Dr. Wai-Nang Lee and colleagues, it has not been very clear how green tea and its components work to decrease the threat of cancer or sluggish growth of cancer cells.

Making use of latest metabolic profiling methods, Dr. Wai-Nang Lee and colleagues identified EGCG upsets the rate of turnover of molecules – identified as “flux” – via a metabolic pathway in pancreatic cancer cells.

They identified EGCG upsets metabolic flux in cancer cells in an identical way to oxamate, a well-known inhibitor of LDHA.

They came to the conclusion that both EGCG and oxamate lowered the danger of cancer by controlling the activity of LDHA, which consequently disturbs metabolic functions in cancer cells.

Completely new way of looking at metabolism

The research is important because there is a commonly held belief among researchers that to cure cancer you have to use molecular mechanisms. Now there is a new opportunity – change the metabolic system.

Leaving comments on the research outcomes, Dr. Wai-Nang Lee says:

“By describing how green tea’s active extract could protect against cancer, this research will open the entrance to a entire new area of cancer research and support us understand how other foods can protect against cancer or sluggish the development of cancerous cells.”

He states that the finding also indicates we can look at metabolism in a completely new approch: It is no more a case of glucose goes in and energy comes out. Now we realize how cancer cell metabolism can be interrupted, and we can check out how we can use this information to try to alter the course of cancer or protect against cancer.