| Researchers from Houston and the United Kingdom | | | | the body to fight off infections. Their report is |
| report a significant breakthrough in understanding | | | | available online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical |
| why green tea may be able to help fight AIDS. This | | | | Immunology. |
| breakthrough adds an important piece of the puzzle | | | | Researchers described using a relatively new |
| of identifying exactly how one component of green | | | | approach involving nuclear magnetic resonance |
| tea already recognized as effective against AIDS can | | | | spectroscopy to actually "see" this binding action. The |
| actually slow or thwart the destructive actions of this | | | | HIV appears to seek out this T-cell to invade and |
| deadly immune disease; specifically, the ability of the | | | | use it as a spawning ground for launching the next |
| virus to hijack and destroy immune system cells. | | | | wave of attacking viruses. But not if access is |
| This component of green tea Epigallocatechin gallate | | | | blocked by the EGCg molecule, leaving HIV with no |
| or EGCg is thought to be related to many of this | | | | other way inside the cell. |
| popular brew's health benefits. EGCg is a flavinoid that | | | | They noted also that because the EGCg molecule is |
| is thought to be responsible for giving green tea its | | | | so small, it appeared that it could occupy the slot on |
| color and has demonstrated anti-cancer, anti-microbial | | | | the T-cell without adversely affecting its needed |
| and anti-inflammatory properties. | | | | actions in the body. |
| Clinical trials are already underway to evaluate EGCg | | | | Researchers noted they could inhibit the progression |
| based cancer drugs. There is also considerable | | | | of HIV in the laboratory using an amount of EGCg |
| optimism that green tea or EGCg could be useful | | | | found in just two cups of green tea. However they |
| against HIV however it is not being formerly | | | | cautioned this should not be construed that |
| recommended yet for AIDS prevention or treatment. | | | | consumption of large amounts of green tea can |
| For at least 10 years, researchers have known that | | | | prevent HIV infection. |
| EGCg can inhibit the progression of AIDS in | | | | More research is needed in order to advance these |
| laboratory experiments, but the exact mechanism for | | | | observations on to drug development. Current HIV |
| this has been unknown. | | | | treatments consist of multiple drugs or a "cocktail" |
| Research by Baylor College of Medicine and | | | | designed to block or interrupt the life cycle of this |
| University of Sheffield, UK reveals how EGCg can | | | | virus at different points. An EGCg type drug if |
| bind to the exact spot HIV needs to invade or infect | | | | developed would probably be one of a cocktail of |
| a healthy T-cell, a type of white blood cell needed by | | | | drugs, researchers predict. |