Effects of Green Tea Extract on Ox-LDL and Homocysteine Levels after Resistance Exercise in Obese Men

Green tea is a well-known source of polyphenol catechins, which possess strong antioxidant properties. However, the impact of green tea polyphenol catechins on biological markers of atherosclerosis, namely oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and homocysteine (Hcy), following resistance exercise (RE), has not been studied in obese individuals.  In this study, ten obese untrained men (age 43-45 y, BMI 32-33) participated voluntarily. They were randomly assigned to receive either green tea extract (GTE) capsules (two capsules of 500 mg per day) or placebo (PL) capsules (two capsules of 500 mg per day maltodextrin) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. The supplementation period lasted for two weeks, followed by a two-week washout period. Afterward, the participants performed a RE protocol at 75% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). Blood samples were collected before and after the RE session to measure the serum concentrations of Hcy and ox-LDL.  In the placebo condition, there was a significant increase in serum Hcy and ox-LDL levels from pre- to post-RE. However, GTE supplementation mitigated the exercise-induced rise in serum Hcy and ox-LDL concentrations in obese men.  These findings suggest that a two-week supplementation of GTE may offer protection against exercise-induced elevation of Hcy and ox-LDL levels in obese men.