Vegetable Extracts as Therapeutic Agents: A Comprehensive Exploration of Anti-Allergic Effects.

Food allergies are common worldwide and have become a major public health concern; more than 220 million people are estimated to suffer from food allergies worldwide. On the other hand, polyphenols, phenolic substances found in plants, have attracted attention for their health-promoting functions, including their anti-allergic effects. In this study, we examined the potential inhibitory effects of 80% ethanol extracts from 22 different vegetables on the degranulation process in RBL-2H3 cells. Our aim was to identify vegetables that could prevent and treat type I allergic diseases. We found strong inhibition of degranulation by extracts of perilla and chives. Furthermore, we verified the respective efficacy via animal experiments, which revealed that the anaphylactic symptoms caused by ovalbumin (OVA) load were alleviated in OVA allergy model mice that ingested vegetable extracts of perilla and chives. These phenomena were suggested to be caused by induction of suppression in the expression of subunits that constitute the high-affinity IgE receptor, particularly the α-chain of FcεR I. Notably, the anti-allergic effects of vegetables that can be consumed daily are expected to result in the discovery of new anti-immediate allergenic drugs based on the components of these vegetables.

Inhibition of Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation by Treatment with Itadori Leaf Extract.

Treatment with itadori extract inhibited the growth of mouse colon cancer cells (Colon-26) in mice. In addition, it induced DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activation in Colon-26 cells, suggesting potent induction of apoptosis. Itadori extracts are rich in neochlorogenic acid and rutin and also contain quercetin and piceatannol. These polyphenols are thought to be involved in the observed DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activation in colon cancer cells and may thus have anticancer effects. There is hence scope for development of the leaf of itadori, which currently has only a few known uses, as a novel anti-tumor therapeutic.

Twelve-Month Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization with Alternative Techniques and Ordinary Endovascular Therapy Devices for Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: Results of the DEPARTURE Japan Study.

PURPOSE: A dedicated treatment strategy is not yet established for patients with no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous deep venous arterialization in Japanese patients with no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 18 consecutive patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (18 limbs; mean age: 75.5 ± 8.5 years; 14 men) who underwent percutaneous deep venous arterialization between January 2016 and November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The limb salvage, amputation-free survival, and wound healing rates were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Among 18 patients, 14 (77.8%) had diabetes, 6 (33.3%) had a non-ambulatory status, 16 (88.9%) received hemodialysis, and 15 (83.3%) had wound, ischemia, and foot infection of clinical stage 4. Rutherford 5 was observed in 33.7% of the patients and Rutherford 6 in 66.7%. The technical success rate of percutaneous deep venous arterialization was 88.9%. Four patients required major amputation within 30 days; percutaneous deep venous arterialization failed in two of these patients. At 6 and 12 months, the limb salvage rates, amputation-free survival rates, and complete wound healing rates were 72.2 and 72.2%, 55.6 and 49.4%, and 23.0 and 53.2%, respectively. The median time to complete wound healing was 234 (interquartile range, 127-306) days. CONCLUSION: This study presented the clinical outcomes of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia who underwent percutaneous deep venous arterialization in Japan. Acceptable, safe, and efficacious results were reported. Before major amputation, percutaneous deep venous arterialization can be considered for patients with no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. Non-randomized, follow-up study.

Retrospective evaluation of the effect of Ninjin'yoeito in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with lenvatinib.

PURPOSES: Lenvatinib (LEN) is a molecular-target drug, used for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is associated with adverse events (AEs), including hypertension, proteinuria, fatigue, and anorexia, which may force dose reduction or discontinuation. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) is a Chinese-Japanese herbal compound that can effectively treat fatigue and anorexia, and which has been used for chronic liver diseases. NYT reduces AEs and improves the liver function in patients treated with sorafenib but its effect on LEN is unclear. METHODS: The present study included 46 patients (male, n = 32; female, n = 14) who received LEN for HCC at our hospital. Their median age was 70 years (range 36-88 years), and their median body weight was 61.5 kg (range 38.4-97.0 kg). Patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether they received NYT medication. Their AEs and liver function were examined one month after starting LEN. RESULTS: The NYT group suffered less fatigue (63.6% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.0014) and showed elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels (45.5% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.0433) in comparison to the non-NYT group. The non-NYT group also showed a significantly exacerbated albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade (P = 0.0342) and ALBI score (average change: + 0.232, P = 0.0001) at 1 month in comparison to baseline. CONCLUSION: NYT apparently suppressed LEN-induced fatigue and helped maintain liver function in patients with HCC.

LPCAT2 Methylation, a Novel Biomarker for the Severity of Cedar Pollen Allergic Rhinitis in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the role of the epigenome in allergies has been receiving increasing attention. Although several genes that are methylated in relation to serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration have been reported by epigenome-wide association studies, little is known about the DNA methylation sites associated with the symptoms and severity of cedar pollinosis (CP). OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze the association between DNA methylation and the symptoms and severity of CP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and nasal mucosa scraping cells (NMSCs). METHODS: We recruited 70 participants during the cedar pollen dispersal season. IgE levels were measured by a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay. We analyzed DNA methylation of acyl-CoA thioesterase 7 (ACOT7), mucin 4 (MUC4), schlafen 12 (SLFN12), lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 (LPCAT2), and interleukin-4 (IL4) in PBMCs and NMSCs using bisulfite next-generation sequencing; the correlation of DNA methylation with non-specific IgE and cedar pollen-specific IgE levels in peripheral blood samples was also investigated. Symptom severity and DNA methylation were investigated in 15 untreated CP patients. RESULTS: Non-specific IgE levels showed a significant negative correlation with average IL4 methylation in PBMCs (r = -0.46, P < 0.0001) but not with methylation of ACOT7, MUC4, SLFN12, and LPCAT2. Cedar pollen-specific IgE levels showed a significant negative correlation with average IL4 and MUC4 methylation in PBMCs (r = -0.31, P = 0.01 and r = -0.241, P = 0.046, respectively) but not with methylation of ACOT7, SLFN12, and LPCAT2. The methylation of some genes in NMSCs was not significantly correlated with IgE levels. The mean methylation of LPCAT2 in NMSCs showed a decreasing trend with increasing severity of CP (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION: LPCAT2 methylation in NMSCs may reflect the severity of CP and could be used as a novel biomarker to identify suitable treatment options for CP.

Usefulness of daily folic acid supplementation during methotrexate treatment of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of daily folic acid supplementation on methotrexate (MTX) toxicity and efficacy in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We followed 19 patients treated with MTX who switched from taking weekly 5 mg folic acid supplementation (weekly regimen) to 1.25 mg daily (daily regimen). White blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were collected for 24 weeks following the change. RESULTS: We observed no significant changes in WBC or PLT counts. AST and ALT levels, which had exceeded the upper limits of their normal ranges at the beginning of the study, were improved significantly at weeks 4 and 8, no subsequent deterioration in liver function was found. Further, no significant changes in ESR and CRP levels were observed. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that supplementing 1.25 mg of folic acid daily rather than 5 mg weekly reduces toxicity caused by MTX without affecting its efficacy.

Synthesis and evaluation of a radioiodinated BODIPY derivative as a thiol-labeling agent.

Labeling agents with radioisotopes or fluorescent dyes are useful for investigating the biodistributions of biologically active proteins and peptides. Compared with molecular imaging with a single modality, dual imaging probes provide complementary information for each modality. The development of a dual radioisotope/fluorescence agent for protein labeling would thus be valuable for both preclinical and clinical applications. In this study, we designed and synthesized a radioiodinated BODIPY derivative (BODIPY-ML) with a maleimide group as a thiol-labeling agent. In the presence of N-chlorosuccinimide and 1% acetic acid, [125 I]BODIPY-ML was successfully obtained at a radiochemical yield of 42%. In conjugation studies, model proteins including RGD peptides and anti-HER2 VHH were successfully labeled with BODIPY-ML via covalent bonds. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the radioiodinated BODIPY as a dual-labeling agent via thiol groups.

Cirsium maritimum Makino Inhibits the Antigen/Immunoglobulin-E-Mediated Allergic Response In Vitro and In Vivo.

We investigated whether Cirsium maritimum Makino can inhibit immunoglobulin-E-mediated allergic response in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in BALB/c mice. In vitro, the ethyl acetate extract of C. maritimum Makino (ECMM) significantly inhibited ß-hexosaminidase release and decreased intracellular Ca2+ levels in RBL-2H3 cells. Moreover, ECMM leaves more strongly suppressed the release of ß-hexosaminidase than ECMM flowers. ECMM leaves also significantly suppressed the PCA reaction in the murine model. High-performance liquid chromatography and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that cirsimaritin, a flavonoid, was concentrated in active fractions of the extract. Our findings suggest that ECMM leaves have a potential regulatory effect on allergic reactions that may be mediated by mast cells. Furthermore, cirsimaritin may be the active anti-allergic component in C. maritimum Makino.

Deconstructing psychosis and misperception symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Lewy body disease develop a variety of psychotic and misperception symptoms, including visual hallucinations and delusions, as well as 'minor hallucinations', that is, a sense of presence, passage hallucinations and visual illusions. Although these symptoms have been suggested to have common underlying mechanisms, the commonalities and differences among them have not been systematically investigated at the neural level. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with Parkinson's disease underwent neuropsychological and behavioural assessments, volumetric MRI and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). A factor analysis was performed to discover correlations among psychotic and misperception symptoms, other behavioural symptoms and neuropsychological performances. Partial least-squares correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between these symptoms and the joint features of MRI and FDG-PET. RESULTS: A sense of presence, passage hallucinations and visual illusions constituted a single behavioural factor (minor hallucinations/illusions). Visual hallucinations formed another behavioural factor along with delusions, depression and fluctuating cognition (psychosis/dysphoria). Three distinct brain-behaviour correlation patterns were identified: (1) posterior cortical atrophy/hypometabolism associated with minor hallucinations/illusions and visuospatial impairment; (2) upper brainstem and thalamic atrophy/hypometabolism associated with psychosis/dysphoria and (3) frontal cortical atrophy/hypometabolism associated with non-visual cognition. No significant differences in neuroimaging findings were identified between patients who had minor hallucinations/illusions alone and patients who also had visual hallucinations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that combined damage to the upper brainstem/thalamus and the posterior neocortex underlies both minor hallucinations/illusions and visual hallucinations and that the former pathology is more associated with visual hallucinations/frank psychosis and the latter is more associated with minor hallucinations/illusions.

Laxative Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Sujiaonori Algal Biomaterial in Japanese Adult Women with Functional Constipation: A Case Study.

Constipation is a gastrointestinal motility disorder that represents a major health problem in Japan. Approximately 26% of young Japanese adult women are reported to have this complaint. We report on the health effects of daily intake of Sujiaonori algal biomaterial (SBM) on constipation on 12 Japanese adult women. Data are from a four-week dietary intervention study on the health effects of daily Sujiaonori supplementation on cardiovascular, skin, and gastrointestinal health in which 32 adult Japanese volunteers (age range: 20-54 years) participated. They underwent clinical and laboratory investigations, and completed two study questionnaires (the brief diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and the current health questionnaire) before and after dietary intervention. Of the 12 women volunteers with functional constipation, there were six SBM-supplemented subjects who received 3 g of Sujiaonori powder twice daily during meal, whereas the six others (controls) were from the group of those who took 3 g of a power made of 70% corn starch and 30% Japanese spinach mixture. The analysis of data on daily nutrient intake showed no significant dietary changes for nutrients (minerals, proteins, fiber, fat) and calorie intake (except alcohol intake that was reduced) in both groups. In SBM group, a significant reduction of the proportion of women with constipation was observed (p < 0.001), whereas no significant change was noted within the control group (p > 0.05). When both groups were compared, SBM was more effective than the control product; 66.7% (4/6) of SBM-supplemented women had their constipation relieved, whereas only one control (16.7%) controls benefited from dietary intervention (p < 0.001). In addition, no adverse effect was reported in the SBM group, whereas two controls reported nausea at post-survey. These results suggest that Sujiaonori contains compounds that can improve gastrointestinal function and relieve constipation.

Uncovering Adiponectin Replenishing Property of Sujiaonori Algal Biomaterial in Humans.

The replenishment of adiponectin-an adipocyte-derived hormone with salutary health effects-has recently been proposed as a new approach to treat hypertension, also ameliorate cardiovascular and metabolic risks. We conducted a prospective placebo-controlled, non-randomized and investigator-blinded dietary intervention study to evaluate the health effects of dietary intake of Sujiaonori (Ulva/Enteromorpha prolifera Müller) algal biomaterial (SBM), especially on adiponectin production, blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI) in human subjects. Participants (N = 32) were divided into two equally sized groups (n = 16 for each group): SBM group (subjects supplemented with 3 g SBM powder twice a day during meal) and the control group (subjects who took 3 g of a supplement made of 70% corn starch powder and 30% spinach twice a day) for four weeks. Two health survey questionnaires (dietary and current health questionnaires) were completed anonymously, saliva sampling was done for adiponectin measurement by ELISA, and blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and four weeks later. Student paired t-test was performed to compare baseline and post-intervention data on outcome variables between the two study groups. Results showed a 2.24-fold increase in adiponectin level in SBM group (2.81 and 6.26 ng/mL at baseline and at the end of study, respectively) (p < 0.01); whereas no significant change was observed in controls (3.58 and 3.51 ng/mL, respectively) (p > 0.05). In SBM subjects, an improvement of BP profile was noted with a significant decrease in systolic BP (p < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between SBM supplementation and adiponectin level, whereas an inverse correlation was noted between SBM supplementation and blood pressure, and also BMI. These findings suggest that SBM-increased adiponectin level and improved BP in a sample of Japanese young adults, and has the potential to improve blood pressure in humans.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel chalcone derivatives with (99m)Tc/Re complexes as potential probes for detection of ß-amyloid plaques.

Four (99m)Tc-labeled chalcone derivatives and their corresponding rhenium analogues were tested as potential probes for imaging ß-amyloid plaques. The chalcones showed higher affinity for Aß(1-42) aggregates than did (99m)Tc complexes. In sections of brain tissue from an animal model of AD, the four Re chalcones intensely stained ß-amyloid plaques. In biodistribution experiments using normal mice, (99m)Tc-BAT-chalcone ([(99m)Tc]17) displayed high uptake in the brain (1.48% ID/g) at 2 min postinjection. The radioactivity washed out from the brain rapidly (0.17% ID/g at 60 min), a highly desirable feature for an imaging agent. [(99m)Tc]17 may be a potential probe for imaging ß-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's brains.

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated effectively with irinotecan via hepatic arterial infusion followed by proton beam therapy.

We report a 48-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy followed by proton beam therapy. The HCC lesion in this patient was 88 mm in diameter, with portal vein tumor thrombosis in the right lobe of the liver. He was first treated with 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and isovorin, administered by HAI, combined with interferon-alpha, and he was subsequently treated with epirubicin and mitomycin-C administered by HAI. However, no definite efficacy of either of these treatments was observed. Then, after 3 weeks' continuous administration of irinotecan by HAI, the tumor size decreased to 68 mm in diameter. However, 3 months after reduction of the tumor, the tumor had become enlarged to 100 mm in diameter and intrahepatic metastases were prominent. Angiographic findings indicated that the HCC was fed not only from the right hepatic artery but also from the left gastric and right and left subphrenic arteries. After rearrangement of the arteries, and 3 months' continuous HAI chemotherapy with irinotecan, plus hyperthermia, the tumor size had decreased to 50 mm in diameter. The reduction rate of the main tumor according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors was 43%; therefore, the efficacy of this treatment was judged as a partial response. Two months after reduction of the tumor, the patient's serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was elevated, and so docetaxel was administered by HAI instead of irinotecan. The liver tumors showed gradual enlargement during the administration of docetaxel, although the AFP level was suppressed. Proton beam therapy was instituted and the liver tumors showed necrosis after this therapy. The patient died of hepatic failure and distant metastases 6 years after the onset of HCC. As far as we know, this is the first case report of HCC treated effectively with irinotecan administered by HAI followed by proton beam therapy in which tumor suppression and the long-term survival of the patient were observed.

Molecular and electrical remodeling of L- and T-type Ca(2+) channels in rat right atrium with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmia is often encountered in chronic pulmonary disease with pulmonary hypertension (PH), but few studies have investigated the electrical remodeling of atrial Ca(2+) channels under PH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wistar rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT), resulting in PH with right atrial and ventricular hypertrophy. The L-type Ca(2+) channel current density was significantly decreased in right atrial cells of MCT-treated rats, accompanied by a significant reduction in mRNA expression of the CaV1.2 (alpha(1C)) subunit and accessory beta(2) subunit. Conversely, the low voltage-activated Ca(2+) current was more marked in the right atrial cells of MCT-treated rats than in those of control rats. The current-voltage relationship and the time course of inactivation closely resembled those of T-type Ca(2+) channels, although the current was only slightly inhibited by 10-100 micromol/L Ni(2+). No significant differences were observed in the mRNA expression levels of CaV3.1 (alpha(1G)) and CaV3.2 (alpha(1H)) or the protein level of the CaV3.1 subunit. In left atrial cells, the electrophysiological molecular properties of Ca(2+) channels were unaffected by MCT treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PH causes right atrial hypertrophy, associated with alteration of the electrophysiological molecular properties of Ca(2+) channels.

Constituents from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera stimulate lipolysis in the white adipose tissue of mice.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaceae) has been used for various medicinal purposes as in Chinese herbal medicine. In particular, the leaves are known for diuretic and astringent properties, and are used to treat obesity. During our search for a plant-derived anti-obesity agent from natural products, we have found that a 50% ethanol (EtOH) extract prepared from the leaves of N. nucifera (NN) stimulated lipolysis in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of mice and that the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) pathway was involved in this effect. In subsequent experiments, dietary supplementation of NN resulted in a significant suppression of body weight gain in A/J mice fed a high-fat diet. Bioassay-guided fractionation and repeated chromatography of NN has led to the isolation and identification of quercetin 3-O-alpha-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-galactopyranoside (1), rutin (2), (+)-catechin (3), hyperoside (4), isoquercitrin (5), quercetin (6) and astragalin (7). Of these, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 exhibited lipolytic activity, especially in visceral adipose tissue. Our results indicate that the effects of NN in preventing diet-induced obesity appear to be due to various flavonoids and that the activation of beta-AR pathway was involved, at least in part.

Herbal medicine Ninjinyoeito ameliorates ribavirin-induced anemia in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: Ribavirin (RBV) shows a strong antiviral effect on hepatitis C virus when used in combination with interferon. However, RBV-induced anemia is a major problem in this therapy. It would be of great clinical importance to ameliorate the anemia without reducing the RBV dose. We report here that, Ninjinyoeito (NYT), a herbal medicine can reduce the RBV-induced anemia. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon alpha 2b plus RBV with (NYT group) or without (control group) NYT by a randomized selection. Eighteen patients completed the treatment schedule, and hemato-biochemical and virological effects were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in biochemical and virological responses between the two groups. However, anemia was significantly reduced in the NYT group compared with the control group. The maximal decrease of Hb in the NYT group (2.59+/-1.10 g/dL) was significantly (P = 0.026) smaller than that in the control group (3.71+/-0.97 g/dL). There was no significant difference in serum glutathione peroxidase activity, serum RBV concentration, and Th1/Th2 balance between the two groups. There was no specific adverse effect in NYT administration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that NYT could be used as a supportive remedy to reduce the RBV-induced anemia in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Sporadic fatal insomnia with spongiform degeneration in the thalamus and widespread PrPSc deposits in the brain.

We report a case of human prion disease of 29 months duration in a 74-year-old Japanese man. The disease started with progressive sleeplessness and dementia. MRI showed gradually progressive cerebral atrophy. Neuronal loss, spongiform change and gliosis were evident in the thalamus and cerebral cortex, as well as in the striatum and amygdaloid nucleus. In the cerebellar cortex, mild-to-moderate depletion of Pukinje cells and spongiform change were observed. Mild neuronal loss in the inferior olivary nucleus was also seen. Immunohistochemistry revealed widespread perivacuolar deposits of abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) in the cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, and brainstem, and minimal plaque-like deposits of PrPSc in the cerebellar cortex. In the cerebellar plaque-like deposits, the presence of amyloid fibrils was confirmed ultrastructurally. The entire pathology appeared to lie halfway between those of CJD and fatal insomnia, and further demonstrated the relationship between spongiform degeneration and PrPSc deposits, especially in the diseased thalamus. By immunoblotting, the thalamus was shown to contain the lowest amount of PrPSc among the brain regions examined. The PrPSc of type 2, in which the ratio of the three glycoforms was compatible with that of sporadic fatal insomnia (MM2-thalamic variant) reported previously, was also demonstrated. Analysis of the prion protein gene (PRNP) showed no mutation, and homozygosity for methionine at codon 129. In conclusion, we considered that this patient had been suffering from sporadic, pathologically atypical fatal insomnia.

Black tea increases coronary flow velocity reserve in healthy male subjects.

Epidemiologic studies suggest that tea consumption decreases the risk for cardiovascular events. However, there has been no clinical report examining the effects of tea consumption on coronary circulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of black tea on coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). This was a double-blind crossover study of 10 healthy male volunteers conducted to compare the effects of black tea and caffeine on coronary circulation. The coronary flow velocity of the left anterior descending coronary artery was measured at baseline and at hyperemia during adenosine triphosphate infusion by TTDE to determine CFVR. The CFVR ratio was defined as the ratio of CFVR after beverage consumption to CFVR before beverage consumption. All data were divided into 2 groups according to beverage type: group T (black tea) and group C (caffeine). Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant group effect and interaction in CFVR before and after beverage consumption (p = 0.001). CFVR significantly increased after tea consumption in group T (4.5 +/- 0.9 vs 5.2 +/- 0.9, p <0.0001). The CFVR ratio of group T was larger than that of group C (1.18 +/- 0.07 vs 1.04 +/- 0.08, p = 0.002). Acute black tea consumption improves coronary vessel function, as determined by CFVR.