Elements of green tea prevent HIV from binding to hum...( EGCG to the CD4 molecule. It ...),Health

"It might be possible to locate the precise EGCG binding spot on the CD4 molecule and compare that spot to where the HIV glycoprotein normally binds, in an attempt to explain the exciting discovery of Dr. Kawai," said Dr. Shearer. "Molecular modeling of a drug form of EGCG for HIV infection might be a further development of these investigations."

The study and the accompanying editorial are the first to describe the inhibitory effect of green tea catechin in the attachment of HIV to human T cells and offer a new perspective for the treatment of the life-threatening disease.

Researchers do not suggest the use of green tea to counter HIV infection or as an alternative therapy to current anti-viral agents now used.

The concentrations of EGCG used to demonstrate these inhibitory effects in laboratory studies are many times over the blood concentration that could be achieved by normal green tea consumption. However, the current findings call for additional research into the clinical application of green tea catechin as an anti-HIV drug.

'"/>

Contact: John Gardner
jgardner@aaaai.org
414-272-6071
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
10-Nov-2003