Green tea extracts may benefit children with Down syndrome

Green tea is already known for its antioxidant properties, which aid in immunity boosting and weight loss, but did you know that it can also prove beneficial for the facial development of children with Down syndrome? According to a new study, green tea supplements modulate facial development in children with Down syndrome. The study, led by Belgian and Spanish researchers, was published in Nature Scientific Reports.

The researchers observed that the intake of green tea extracts can reduce facial dysmorphology in children with Down syndrome when taken during the first three years of life.

Additional research in mice confirmed the positive effects at low doses. However, they also found that high doses of the extract can disrupt facial and bone development. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of green tea extracts and therefore they should always be taken under medical supervision.

Down syndrome is caused by the presence of a third copy of chromosome 21, leading to an overexpression of the genes in this region and resulting in a number of physical and intellectual disabilities. One of the genes, DYRK1A, contributes to altering brain and bone development in people with Down syndrome. The green tea compound EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is known to inhibit DYRK1A activity, although it also has other mechanisms of action. Previous research has shown the potential of EGCG to improve cognition in young adults with Down syndrome.

In a new study, researchers analysed the effect of green tea supplements on facial development in Down syndrome. In the experimental part of the study, the EGCG supplements were tested in mice at different dosages.

In the second part of the research, they did an observational study on children with and without Down syndrome. This work, led by the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Barcelona in Spain, and KU Leuven in Belgium, is an international effort involving researchers from the University of Central Florida, La Salle - University Ramon Llull, and IMIM - Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute.

“The low dose treatment had a positive effect on mice that are a model of Down syndrome,” Professor Greetje Vande Velde (KU Leuven) commented, co-lead author of the study. Velde added, “Sixty percent of them showed a facial shape similar to the control group.”

MDhulia’sSaheb,BiwiaurGangster (2011), are set for a reunion. Cinema Journal has it exclusively that Mahie and Jimmy will team up for the second season of the web series, Your Honour. The makers of the series are bringing back the second installment of the criminal drama that streamed on Sony LIV in 2020. While the upcoming season will feature Jimmy as the protagonist just like its predecessors, the other cast members will be absolutely fresh.

A source close to the development reveals Mahie plays one of the leads in the show. Gulshan Grover also plays a pivotal role in the story. Producer, director and actor Zeeshan Quadri, popularly known for his role in GangsofWasseypur2, is also on-board for an interesting character. Veteran actor Suhasini Mulay is also a part of the project. Produced by Applause Entertainment, it is still unclear what the new season is going to be about.

“They are planning to roll from the month of March or April. It will be shot in Ludhiana, Punjab,” a source close to the development added.

For the unversed, the first season was a remake of an Israeli series, Kvodo, created by Ron Ninio and Shlomo Mashiach. The same series was also remade in the US, titled YourHonour, starring BreakingBad actor Brian Cranston.

We couldn’t reach out to actors for a comment till the time we went to the press. Spokespersons from

Sony LIV and Applause Entertainment maintained a ‘no comments’ stance.