Abstract B14: Modulating effects of green and black tea on biomarkers of chronic inflammation by gender and smoking status

Background/Purpose: Epidemiologic data implies that there are gender differences in lung cancer pathogenesis and possibly increased susceptibility to lung cancer in women. Chronic inflammation has been implicated as important modulator of human health by playing a significant role in both disease prevention and disease development. Several studies have demonstrated increased interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood of smokers. The overall goal of this study was to develop a feasible tea intervention that will serve as a model for the chemoprevention of a wide range of tobacco-related diseases. Our immediate goal, that was addressed over a 4-year study period, was to determine the effects of high tea consumption on biological markers of chronic inflammation that mediate lung cancer risk, including, IL-6, CRP and antioxidant enzyme activities. Methods: We completed a 6-month randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial in a group of current and former smokers. Participants were stratified on smoking status and gender, and were randomized to green or black tea preparations or a control intervention (matching placebo). Levels of urinary iIL-6 and CRP are used to measure chronic inflammation and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in red blood cells are used to measure antioxidant enzymes. Results: The study protocol was approved by all parties. A total of 138 participants (78 females and 60 males) completed the study. Our data show that il6 is significantly correlated with years of smoking and pack/year among smokers and former smokers. At the end of the 6-month intervention, female smokers in the green tea group showed a significant decrease in IL-6 (P=0.036) while male former smokers in the black tea group showed a significant decrease in CRP levels (P=0.012). There were no significant changes in dietary and serum antioxidant levels between the different groups. Conclusion: This data implies that smokers are more likely to benefit from green tea intake while the beneficial effects of black tea are observed among former smokers. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Iman A. Hakim, Sami A. Aldaham, Janet Foote, H-H Sherry Chow. Modulating effects of green and black tea on biomarkers of chronic inflammation by gender and smoking status. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Improving Cancer Risk Prediction for Prevention and Early Detection; Nov 16-19, 2016; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(5 Suppl):Abstract nr B14.