Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph.D.
Uterine fibroids are believed to affect at least 40% of the American Women in pre or perimenopausal age. They may provoke unexpected heavy bleeding, pressure effects on other organs, fertility concerns, bleeding with huge amount of coagulum, anemia, fatigue due to energy depleting- all of which have large impacts on a woman’s health. The uterine benign fibroids are called leiomyomas and can be on times a difficult condition to treat. Surgical hysterectomy is on times the only radical option to eliminate this problem. Uterine fibroids are more common in women over 40, and this may be related to changes in hormonal mediators or hormonal disbalance during the pre or postmenopause, after so many years of constant exposure to estrogen, progesterone and androgens.
There are multiple factors that are known to promote fibroid formation. Some of the factors which are currently known to promote growth of fibroids are periods of excess estrogen, when there is insufficient progesterone to balance out the estrogens. The amount of environmental chemicals toxins both, environmental or “in home” that are known under the common term “xenoestrogens” can also mimic the estrogenic effects in the human body. The prevalence of testosterone in postmenopausal age in women is found as another important factor for uterine fibroids formation. The conversion of an enzyme called "aromatase" (which converts androgens to estrogens) is also involved in the above fibroid pathogenesis. Recently it was proven that even progesterone is equally responsible as promoter in fibroid formation. Fibroids of the uterus were found to contain both progesterone and estrogen receptors which are either up or down in the period of menstruation. Obesity, metabolic syndrome with consequent fat liver cirrhosis are also connected with the frequency of uterine fibroid formation.
The main problem is that despite rarely, the benign leiomyoma can metastasize in one of the most non-differentiated and malignant type of sarcoma (a type of a cancer of smooth muscle origin) that is called similarly leiomyosarcoma. The main symptoms are an unusual heavy bleeding (even postmenopausal), abdominal pain or tension, and huge amount of coagulum in the blood. Leiomyosarcomas are clinically treated only throughout surgery, as they are relatively or absolutely radiation or chemotherapy resistant. The only treatment is immediate surgery and the stage of the sarcoma speaks volumes on the future of women survival. When the sarcoma is “in situ” the rate of survival is 10-15 years or more. In case of advanced stage- a six months of survival rate is frequently seen in the literature. One of their main features of leiomyosarcomas is that they can stay dormant (latent) for years and to attack the body for a second time with another secondary (metastatic) sarcoma from retroperitoneal origin, colon cancer, etc. This time they are unusually malignant and almost impossible to cure.
A new study (2010) from the Centre for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College concludes that EGCG (a green tea extract) may induce apoptosis (cell death) and reduce proliferation of uterine fibroid cells by affecting gene expression. This is the second study from this college on the same topic, while the first was released in 2008. The mechanism behind the green tea extract was done in line with recent research indicating that uterine fibroids are correlated with genetic factors in gene expression, evidence for which was examined in a review from the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), and the Comparative Pathology Group. The EGCG from green tea was shown to significantly decrease the expression of the several genes: PCNA, CDK4, and BCL2 proven to promote growth of fibroids, as well as increased the expression of the gene BAX (which promotes cell degeneration) in a “dose-dependent” pattern.
Green tea has also a well known thermogenic (fat burning) effect according to multiple other studies similarly to caffeine, so it may be helpful for women with fibroids from this standpoint as well. Controversially, coffee was found to increase the uterine and breast fibroids, despite of its thermogenic effect. Although no conclusions can be made for humans as results in animals cannot be directly extrapolated in human, human trials under a start-up phase. Obviously, we cannot predict, or our expectations should not be as huge, that green tea extract would be able to shrink already well developed and large fibroids, but to expect that fibroids in a start up phase will be influenced is quite admissible.
References:
Arslan, A., Gold, L.I., Mittal, K.,Ting-Chung Suen, T-Ch.,Belitskaya-Levy, I., Moon-Shong Tang, M-Sh., and Toniolo. P.(2005). Gene expression studies provide clues to the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma: new evidence and a systematic review. Human Reproduction, 20, 852–63.
Dulloo, A. G., Seydoux, J., Girardier, L., Chantre, P. Vandermander, J.( 2000). Green tea and thermogenesis: interactions between catechin-polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity. Int-J-Obes-Relat-Metab-Disord. 24, 252-8.
Nagata, C., Kabuto, M., and Shimizu, H. (1998). Association of coffee, green tea, and caffeine intakes with serum concentrations of estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin in premenopausal Japanese Women. Nutr Cancer 30, 21-4
Sumitani, H., Shozu, M., Segawa, T., Murakami, K., Yang, H. J., Shimada, K., et al. (2000). In situestrogen synthesized by aromatase P450 in uterine leiomyoma cells promotes cell growth probably via an autocrine/intracrine mechanism. Endocrinology, 141, 3852–61.
Wu A, et al. (1999). Meta-analysis: Dietary Fat Intake, Serum Estrogen Levels, and the Risk of Breast Cancer. J Nat Cancer Inst. 91, 492-4, 529-34.
Yamamoto, T., Takamori, K, and Okada, H. (1984). Estrogen biosynthesis in leiomyoma and myometrium of the uterus. Horm Metab Res, 16, 678–9.
Zhang D, Al-Hendy M, Richard-Davis G, Montgomery-Rice V, Rajaratnam V, Al-Hendy A. 2009. Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of epigallocatechin gallate on human leiomyoma cells. Fertil Steril. Oct 2009. Epub ahead of print.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to request an on line or by phone alternative consultation, or a newly written article that can suit your business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
Uterine fibroids are believed to affect at least 40% of the American Women in pre or perimenopausal age. They may provoke unexpected heavy bleeding, pressure effects on other organs, fertility concerns, bleeding with huge amount of coagulum, anemia, fatigue due to energy depleting- all of which have large impacts on a woman’s health. The uterine benign fibroids are called leiomyomas and can be on times a difficult condition to treat. Surgical hysterectomy is on times the only radical option to eliminate this problem. Uterine fibroids are more common in women over 40, and this may be related to changes in hormonal mediators or hormonal disbalance during the pre or postmenopause, after so many years of constant exposure to estrogen, progesterone and androgens.
There are multiple factors that are known to promote fibroid formation. Some of the factors which are currently known to promote growth of fibroids are periods of excess estrogen, when there is insufficient progesterone to balance out the estrogens. The amount of environmental chemicals toxins both, environmental or “in home” that are known under the common term “xenoestrogens” can also mimic the estrogenic effects in the human body. The prevalence of testosterone in postmenopausal age in women is found as another important factor for uterine fibroids formation. The conversion of an enzyme called "aromatase" (which converts androgens to estrogens) is also involved in the above fibroid pathogenesis. Recently it was proven that even progesterone is equally responsible as promoter in fibroid formation. Fibroids of the uterus were found to contain both progesterone and estrogen receptors which are either up or down in the period of menstruation. Obesity, metabolic syndrome with consequent fat liver cirrhosis are also connected with the frequency of uterine fibroid formation.
The main problem is that despite rarely, the benign leiomyoma can metastasize in one of the most non-differentiated and malignant type of sarcoma (a type of a cancer of smooth muscle origin) that is called similarly leiomyosarcoma. The main symptoms are an unusual heavy bleeding (even postmenopausal), abdominal pain or tension, and huge amount of coagulum in the blood. Leiomyosarcomas are clinically treated only throughout surgery, as they are relatively or absolutely radiation or chemotherapy resistant. The only treatment is immediate surgery and the stage of the sarcoma speaks volumes on the future of women survival. When the sarcoma is “in situ” the rate of survival is 10-15 years or more. In case of advanced stage- a six months of survival rate is frequently seen in the literature. One of their main features of leiomyosarcomas is that they can stay dormant (latent) for years and to attack the body for a second time with another secondary (metastatic) sarcoma from retroperitoneal origin, colon cancer, etc. This time they are unusually malignant and almost impossible to cure.
A new study (2010) from the Centre for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College concludes that EGCG (a green tea extract) may induce apoptosis (cell death) and reduce proliferation of uterine fibroid cells by affecting gene expression. This is the second study from this college on the same topic, while the first was released in 2008. The mechanism behind the green tea extract was done in line with recent research indicating that uterine fibroids are correlated with genetic factors in gene expression, evidence for which was examined in a review from the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), and the Comparative Pathology Group. The EGCG from green tea was shown to significantly decrease the expression of the several genes: PCNA, CDK4, and BCL2 proven to promote growth of fibroids, as well as increased the expression of the gene BAX (which promotes cell degeneration) in a “dose-dependent” pattern.
Green tea has also a well known thermogenic (fat burning) effect according to multiple other studies similarly to caffeine, so it may be helpful for women with fibroids from this standpoint as well. Controversially, coffee was found to increase the uterine and breast fibroids, despite of its thermogenic effect. Although no conclusions can be made for humans as results in animals cannot be directly extrapolated in human, human trials under a start-up phase. Obviously, we cannot predict, or our expectations should not be as huge, that green tea extract would be able to shrink already well developed and large fibroids, but to expect that fibroids in a start up phase will be influenced is quite admissible.
References:
Arslan, A., Gold, L.I., Mittal, K.,Ting-Chung Suen, T-Ch.,Belitskaya-Levy, I., Moon-Shong Tang, M-Sh., and Toniolo. P.(2005). Gene expression studies provide clues to the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma: new evidence and a systematic review. Human Reproduction, 20, 852–63.
Dulloo, A. G., Seydoux, J., Girardier, L., Chantre, P. Vandermander, J.( 2000). Green tea and thermogenesis: interactions between catechin-polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity. Int-J-Obes-Relat-Metab-Disord. 24, 252-8.
Nagata, C., Kabuto, M., and Shimizu, H. (1998). Association of coffee, green tea, and caffeine intakes with serum concentrations of estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin in premenopausal Japanese Women. Nutr Cancer 30, 21-4
Sumitani, H., Shozu, M., Segawa, T., Murakami, K., Yang, H. J., Shimada, K., et al. (2000). In situestrogen synthesized by aromatase P450 in uterine leiomyoma cells promotes cell growth probably via an autocrine/intracrine mechanism. Endocrinology, 141, 3852–61.
Wu A, et al. (1999). Meta-analysis: Dietary Fat Intake, Serum Estrogen Levels, and the Risk of Breast Cancer. J Nat Cancer Inst. 91, 492-4, 529-34.
Yamamoto, T., Takamori, K, and Okada, H. (1984). Estrogen biosynthesis in leiomyoma and myometrium of the uterus. Horm Metab Res, 16, 678–9.
Zhang D, Al-Hendy M, Richard-Davis G, Montgomery-Rice V, Rajaratnam V, Al-Hendy A. 2009. Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of epigallocatechin gallate on human leiomyoma cells. Fertil Steril. Oct 2009. Epub ahead of print.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to request an on line or by phone alternative consultation, or a newly written article that can suit your business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
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