Effects of green tea or Sasa borealis bamboo on plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, erythrocyte Na efflux and bone density in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Sasa borealis bamboo and green tea on erythrocyte Na channels, platelet aggregation, plasma and liver lipids in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty ovariectomized rats and ten sham rats at age of 10 weeks were fed 10% bamboo or green tea for four weeks. The final body weight was significantly increased in OVX‐control compared to the sham‐control (p<0.01) and significantly decreased in OVX‐green tea compared to the OVX‐control (p<0.01). HDL‐cholesterol was significantly decreased in OVX‐control and OVX‐bamboo compared to sham‐control (p<0.01) without difference in total cholesterol. Plasma triglyceride of OVX‐green tea was significantly lower than those of sham‐control or OVX‐control (p<0.01). Liver triglyceride of OVX‐control was significantly increased compared with sham‐control (p<0.01), and liver triglyceride of OVX‐green tea was significantly decreased compared with OVX‐control or OVX‐bamboo (p<0.01). Platelet aggregation was lower in OVX‐control compared with sham‐control, but no statistical difference among groups. Na‐K ATPase was increased and Na‐K cotransport was decreased in OVX‐control compared with sham‐control. Na‐K ATPase in OVX‐green tea was significantly decreased compared with OVX‐control (p<0.01) and Na‐K cotransport in OVX‐bamboo and OVX‐green tea was significantly increased compared with OVX‐control (p<0.05). Bone density of OVX‐control was significantly lower than sham‐control (p<0.05). Present study showed that ovariectomy caused an increase in body weight and liver triglyceride and green tea was effective in lowering body weight and triglyceride in ovariectomized rats.