This study was designed to determine the effect of green tea consumption in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD) and the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Forty patients with CKD requiring chronic dialysis were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: the catechin group that consumed green tea (5 g/day for 1 month) and the control group that consumed water. The number of EPCs, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and FMD were determined at baseline and 4 weeks after green tea consumption. Clinical characteristics, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and circulating EPCs number were not significantly different. FMD was significantly improved after 4 weeks in the catechin group (from 5.68±2.67% to 8.66±3.46%, p=0.002). Short-term green tea consumption induced a rapid improvement in FMD, but did not improve circulating EPC levels in patients with CKD.
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