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Green Tea EGCG Pathways: Limiting Muscle Wasting in Cancer
Reduction of body weight, from loss of muscle mass, is involved in almost 1/3 of all cancer deaths. Researchers at the Department of Food Science, at NTO University in Keelung Tawain, show that green tea EGCG effects two biomakers MurF, and MAFbx, that mediate tumor induced muscle atrophy, called Cachexia. Green tea EGCG was shown to stimulate the migration of leukocytes into skeletal muscle, thereby supressing, tumor induced, nuclear factor kappa B and E3-ligases in the wasting of muscle. This study also confirmed EGCG's ablity to reduce tumor size, as wells as, limit weight loss symptoms, using a mouse model, to measure mRNA and intracellular levels of NF kappaB, MuRF1, and MAFbx. Their results where published on June 2011, in the journal of Cancer Letters. PMID:21397390
Natural Remedies Reduce Cancer Inflammation Symptoms
Herbal remedies have been the focus of a wide audence for the prevention, and treatment of cancer related symptoms. Cancer researchers over the past 10 years have pointed to the disruption of inflammatory pathways, contributing to cancer symptoms. According to results published, in the May 2011 edition of Explorations in Biological Medicine, by Cytokine Research Laboratory, scientists describe how both nuclear factor Kappa B, and inflammatory signaling pathways contribute to cancer related symptoms.
Inflammation causing cytokines, such as interleukin-6, have been found at high levels in cancer patients where nuclear factor Kappa B is a major mechanistic molecule influencing inflammation pathways.
Most cancer symptoms are caused by either disease induced inflammation, or from chemotherapy side effects.
Cancer Symptoms Include:
- Ongoing weight loss - Cachexia, muscle atrophy as a metabolic syndrome
- Loss of apitite - Anorexia
- Fatigue, Weakness
- Depression
- Burning, Tingling Muscle Pain - Neuropathic Pain
- Anxiety
- Memory Loss - Cognitive Impairment
- Sleep Disorders - Insomina
- Acute confusion
Many remedies found in nature contain wide ranging anti inflammation properties that are low cost, low in toxicity and are widely availabile.
Nutritional herbs that have shown to effect inflammatory pathways, thereby suggesting reductions in cancer related symptoms, include:
- Turmeric spice - Curcumin scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen species
- Soy - Genistein isoflavone phytonutrient
- Red Grape Skin - Resveratrol antioxidant
- Green tea - Epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG, anti-oxidant polyphenol flavonoid
- Tomato - Lycopene carotenoid, antioxidant pigment in red fruits and vetables
The natural anti-inflammatory molecules found in these plants have been shown to induce nuclear factor kappa B activation, where inflammatory pathways may have potential for improving patient's cancer symptoms. 1
The presence of bio-active molecules, such as EGCG, can vary significanly among green tea dietary supplements. Flavonol concentrations were higher in supplements than in tea leaves, indicating degradation and oxidation of catechins during the manufacturing and storage processes. 2
Nuclear factor Kappa B-mediation, and the dysregulation of inflammatory signaling pathways will continue to be the focus of future studies, as researchers around the world work to find a cure for cancer related symptoms. 1. Explorations in Biological Medicine, 2011 May 12; PMID:21565893 2. Journal of AOAC International. March-April;94(2):487-97 PMID:21563682