# Investigation of the effects of white tea on liver fibrosis: An experimental animal model

**Authors:** Hülya Kılıç Yılmaz, Merve Türker, Eda Yılmaz Kutlu, Tolga Mercantepe, Esra Pınarbaş, Levent Tümkaya, Mehtap Atak

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3980 · Food Science & Nutrition · 2024-01-30

## TL;DR

This study shows that white tea may help reduce liver fibrosis in rats by lowering fibrosis markers and improving liver health.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the potential of white tea to reduce liver fibrosis progression in an animal model.

## Key findings

- White tea significantly reduced liver tissue hydroxyproline levels, a marker of fibrosis.
- Histopathological analysis showed lower liver damage and fibrosis scores in the white tea group.
- White tea improved antioxidant levels and liver function indicators like ALT.

## Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a common, progressive disease that affects millions of patients worldwide. In this study, it was aimed at investigating the effect of white tea on liver fibrosis in an in‐vivo environment by creating an experimental liver fibrosis model on rats. In this study, an experimental liver fibrosis model was created with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Sprague–Dawley rats to investigate the effect of white tea on liver fibrosis. Rats are treated with CCl4 (1 mL/kg) to constitute the liver fibrosis model. White tea was given ad libitum with drinking water. As a result of the study, liver tissue hydroxyproline levels were found to be significantly lower (p = .001) in the white tea group. Histopathologically, it was found that the liver tissue histopathological damage score (LHDS) and fibrosis scoring were significantly lower (p < .001) in the white tea group. However, although it was not statistically significant in the group given white tea, compared with the fibrosis group, it was found that the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver tissues was lower, the glutathione (GSH) level was higher, and the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were lower. The study explained the effect of white tea on liver fibrosis and suggested that white tea might be beneficial in reducing the progression of liver fibrosis.

Study Findings on White Tea and Liver Fibrosis. The in vivo study suggests that white tea may play a role in slowing down the progression of liver fibrosis in rats. Key observations include: Significantly lower hydroxyproline levels in the liver, which is a marker of fibrosis. Decreased liver tissue damage, indicating protective effects. Reduced fibrosis levels in the group that received white tea. Improved antioxidant levels, which may contribute to liver health. Enhanced liver function, showcasing potential health benefits.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** carbon tetrachloride (PubChem CID 5943), malondialdehyde (PubChem CID 10964), glutathione (PubChem CID 124886), alanine aminotransferase (PubChem CID 251717)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Liver fibrosis (MESH:D008103), liver tissue histopathological damage (MESH:D056486), fibrosis (MESH:D005355)
- **Chemicals:** MDA (MESH:D008315), GSH (MESH:D005978), hydroxyproline (MESH:D006909), water (MESH:D014867), CCl4 (MESH:D002251), White tea (-)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11016422/full.md

## References

30 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11016422/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11016422