Effects of matcha green tea on the pharmacokinetics of nadolol in rats

by Eslam T. Mashaqbeh, Tamam El-Elimat, Osama Y. Alshogran, Iyad Hamzeh, Zahraa M. Obeidat, Ahmed H. Al Sharie, Feras El Hajji

The concurrent use of herbal dietary supplements with prescription medications raises safety concerns due to the potential for clinically significant interactions. Matcha, a shade-grown green tea consumed as an ultra-fine powder, is rich in catechins that may inhibit the transport of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates such as nadolol. This study investigated the effects of administering single and multiple doses of matcha on the pharmacokinetics of nadolol in an in vivo animal model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 32) were randomly assigned to four groups. Group 1 (negative control) was administered normal saline followed by a single oral dose of nadolol (10 mg/kg). Group 2 (matcha single-dose) was administered a single dose of matcha (250 mg/kg) whisked in normal saline, followed by nadolol (10 mg/kg) after 30 min. Group 3 (positive control) received itraconazole (50 mg/kg), followed by nadolol (10 mg/kg) after 30 min. Group 4 (matcha multiple-dose) received matcha (250 mg/kg daily for 21 days) before administering nadolol (10 mg/kg) on day 21. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.33, 0.66, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 24 h. Nadolol concentrations in plasma were measured by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FL) method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using the PK solver add-in for Microsoft Excel. To ensure quality control, caffeine, a key marker compound of matcha green tea, was quantified using HPLC with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). A single oral dosage of matcha (250 mg/kg) had no statistically significant effects on the pharmacokinetics of nadolol compared to the control group (p > .05). Although the multiple-dose matcha group showed an increase in C_max (~45%), AUC_0-t (~18%), and AUC_0-∞ (~22%) for nadolol compared to the control group, these differences were not statistically significant (p > .05). In contrast, the t½ (h) of nadolol increased significantly from 4.0 ± 1.6 in the control group to 7.7 ± 4.2 (p = .039) in the matcha multiple-dose group. Itraconazole co-administration significantly increased systemic exposure (AUC) of nadolol (p = .009), confirming the validity of the animal model. Caffeine, a key marker compound in matcha tea, was quantified at 4.18 ± 0.44% w/w of dry matcha tea powder, equivalent to 41.8 ± 4.4 mg/g. This is the first study to explore the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between matcha tea and nadolol. Single and multiple oral doses of matcha green tea had negligible effects on most pharmacokinetic parameters of nadolol, except for an increased half-life in the multiple-dose group. Further research is needed to establish the clinical relevance of this interaction before definitive recommendations on the safety of matcha tea and nadolol coadministration can be made.

Effects of aquatic exercise on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults: A systematic review and meta-analyses

by Emily Dunlap, Yanbing Zhou, Manny M.Y. Kwok, Billy C.L. So, Hirofumi Tanaka

Objective

To evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise compared with non-exercise controls and land-based exercise on arterial stiffness and endothelial function.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Data sources

PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, SPORTDiscus, and reference lists, searched from database inception to April 16, 2025.

Eligibility criteria

Studies evaluating chronic aquatic exercise (multi-session interventions) compared with land-based exercise or non-exercise comparison groups in adults, measuring arterial stiffness via pulse wave velocity (PWV) or endothelial function via flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Results

This review includes 18 randomized controlled trials with 845 participants (mean age 65 ± 7 years). Studies compared aquatic exercise with non-exercise controls (8 studies), land-based exercise (6 studies), or both (4 studies). Exercise sessions averaged 50 minutes, 3 times weekly for 11 weeks. Most studies (17 out of 18) implemented moderate-to-vigorous intensity protocols. Aquatic exercise resulted in improvements in arterial stiffness compared with non-exercise controls (7 studies; SMD = –2.37, 95% CI: –4.46 to –0.29; I² = 98%: low certainty), with most evidence reflecting systemic and peripheral PWV. Changes in arterial stiffness did not differ from those observed after land-based exercise (6 studies; SMD = –0.07, 95% CI: –0.34 to 0.20; I² = 0%, moderate certainty). For endothelial function, aquatic exercise may improve outcomes versus non-exercise controls (6 studies; SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.43; I² = 68%; low certainty) and may lead to greater improvements than land-based exercise (7 studies; SMD = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.05 to 1.06; I² = 75%; low certainty).

Conclusion

Aquatic exercise improves systemic and peripheral arterial stiffness as well as endothelial function compared with non-exercising controls. Changes in arterial stiffness do not differ from those observed after land-based exercise. Aquatic exercise may provide greater improvement in endothelial function than land-based exercise, though this is supported by low-certainty evidence, and substantial heterogeneity limits confidence in the generalizability of this finding.

PROSPERO registration

CRD42025642087.

Study protocol for a pilot study for Remote ADHD Monitoring Program (RAMP) for children in rural areas

by Claire A. MacGeorge, Matthew Henry, Hannah A. Ford, Lacy Malloch, Emily Fratesi, Shannon Cabaniss, Jaime Baldner, Melody Greer, Kristin Gaffney, Milan Bimali, Preetha Abraham, Linda Y. Fu, P. Songthip Ounpraseuth, Christine B. Turley

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral condition of childhood and can be controlled with stimulant medication. Evidence-based guidelines endorse use of standardized ADHD symptom reports to facilitate medication titration to therapeutic dosage. Children living in under-resourced areas experience barriers to receiving this recommended evidence-based care. The Remote ADHD Monitoring Program (RAMP) uses a text-based platform to relay symptom reports from caregivers and teachers to healthcare providers. This pilot study is a feasibility study examining intervention uptake. It compares the submission of structured symptom reports in those children enrolled in RAMP compared to usual care as well as utilization of the RAMP platform by providers.

Methods

This paper describes the protocol to evaluate the feasibility of deploying RAMP in practices serving rural or underserved children. We will recruit 36 dyads from 4 practices in 2 separate states. Each dyad will include a caregiver and their child aged 5–11 years with a diagnosis of ADHD who is starting or reinitiating stimulants. Dyads will be randomized 1:1 to receive the RAMP intervention or usual care with attention controls. Our primary outcome is number of symptom reports (paper assessments in control arm and RAMP reports in intervention arm) per participant that are completed by caregivers and teachers and returned to providers. Our secondary outcome is proportion of submitted RAMP reports that are reviewed by providers.

Discussion

As telehealth use increases, it is critical that we improve access to high quality care for children with chronic conditions. Leveraging technology may be a meaningful approach to improve efficiency in optimizing medication management. This pilot study tests a text-based platform designed to improve communication between the caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD and health care providers. If successful, a future trial will examine the effectiveness of the RAMP intervention on improvement in symptoms.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06743425.

Advanced electrochemical biosensing of pathogens: Harnessing the antimicrobial properties of Ib-M peptides for highly sensitive bacterial detection

by J.L. Ropero-Vega, Y.J. Galvis-Curubo, J. M. Flórez-Castillo

This study describes the development of electrochemical biosensors with high sensitivity to detect pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, in aqueous environments. The biosensors employ the antimicrobial peptides Ib-M1 and Ib-M6 as biorecognition elements, immobilized on gold nanoparticle-modified screen-printed electrodes via a self-assembled monolayer. Detection was achieved through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, achieving remarkably low limits of detection of 1.4 CFU/mL for E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus, and 0.8 CFU/mL for P. aeruginosa. The biosensors exhibited linear detection ranges of 0–100 CFU/mL for E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus, and 0–75 CFU/mL for P. aeruginosa. Notably, the incorporation of carbon nanotubes significantly improved analytical sensitivity of the biosensors, particularly for E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus. These results highlight the potential of the proposed biosensors for rapid, on-site monitoring of microbial contamination in drinking water, food processing environments, and clinical settings.