Cholesterol/HDL-c ratio lowering effect of green tea in rats exposed to depot medroxiprogesterone acetate

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether an extract of green tea is able to decrease low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-c) and increase high density lipoprotein (HDL)-c in rats exposed to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Methods: Twenty five female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 5 each): (1) untreated negative control; (2) positive control which received DMPA only; (3) DMPA plus green tea extract at the dose of 10.8 mg/kg/day; (4) DMPA plus green tea extract at the dose of 21.6 mg/kg/day; (5) and DMPA plus green tea extract at the dose of 43.2 mg/kg/day. The treatment with green tea was performed for four weeks. Serum lipid profile and atherogenic index were analyzed by automated enzymatic technique. Results: DMPA significantly changed the serum lipid profile marked by decreased HDL, increased LDL and cholesterol/HDL-c ratio compared with the untreated group. The increase in LDL was significantly attenuated by all treatment doses of of green tea. Similarly, the decrease in HDL level was significantly attenuated by all doses of the extract. On the other hand, increased levels of cholesterol/HDL-c ratio in the DMPA group was significantly reduced by lowest and highest doses of green tea extract. Conclusion: Green tea extract inhibits the increase in LDL-c and cholesterol/HDL-c ratio induced by DMPA. This may provide a natural therapeutic alternative for normalizing the lipid profile found in subjects exposed to DMPA.