Figure 8

Decreased inflammatory markers in mice fed a combination of green tea and Lactobacillus plantarum . The inflammatory marker PAI-1 was analyzed in plasma after 11 (A) and 22 (B) weeks using Luminex Technology. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze the liver mRNA expression of the inflammatory markers monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1, C and D) and tumor necrosing factor α (TNF-α, E and F) after 11 and 22 weeks of the study. Spleen masses were analyzed as a reflection of inflammatory activity (G and H). Ctrl = high fat control diet (HFD), Lp = HFD + L. plantarum in the drinking water, GT = HFD supplemented with 4% green tea powder, Lp + GT = HFD supplemented with 4% green tea powder and L. plantarum in the drinking water. Data are means ± SEM. n = 21 at 11 weeks and n = 9–11 at 22 weeks. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.