Epigallocatechin Gallate Does Not Accelerate the Early Phase of Liver Regeneration After Partial Hepatectomy in Rats
Abstract
Background: Two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) is an established model for the study of liver regeneration after resection. This process is accompanied by oxidative stress.
Aims: In our study, we tested the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea antioxidant, on the early phase of liver regeneration after PHx. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: I) laparotomy + water for injections intraperitoneally, II) laparotomy + EGCG 50 mg/kg body weight, III) PHx + water for injections, IV) PHx + EGCG 20 mg/kg, V) PHx + EGCG 50 mg/kg, during 3 consecutive days.
The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after surgery. Biochemical analysis of rat sera was performed.
Histological samples were stained with hematoxyline-eosine and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). In hepatectomized rats, we also measured plasma malondialdehyde, tissue malondialdehyde, glutathione and cytokines levels, the activity of caspases 3/7, expression of genes Nqo-1 and HO-1 at mRNA level, expression of genes p21, p-p27 and p-p53 at the protein level.
Results: We observed lower accumulation of BrdU in group V when compared to groups III and IV. The activity of caspases 3/7 and expression of the p-p53 were lower in group V than in groups III and IV.
Tissue levels of IL-6 were lower in group V when compared to group III. Significant differences were not noted in other parameters.
Conclusions: Administration of EGCG did not stimulate early phase of liver regeneration in rats after PHx. There was even lower DNA synthesis in group treated with high dose of EGCG.