Superoxide dismutase activity enhanced by green tea inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

We studied the effect of powdered green tea on intracellular superoxide dismutase activity in the adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells. By the 14 days of culture with insulin, the triglyceride concentration was increased. When powdered green tea and insulin were added simultaneously, the increased triglyceride content was decreased (p < 0.05), and the superoxide dismutase activities were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). These data suggest that green tea may have an antilipogenic activity due to its radical scavenging activity mechanism. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.