Effect of catechin on the activity and gene expression of superoxide dismutase in cultured rat brain astrocytes.
Stroke is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in recent. Oxygen free radicals produced during cerebral infarction increases the damage to neurons. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the endogenous antioxidant enzyme that can effectively scavenge superoxide radicals. Catechin is a hydrophilic antioxidant usually existed in tea, fruits and vegetables. In the cultured rat brain astrocytes (RBA), the activity of SOD (both Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD subtypes) was markedly increased by incubation with catechin at low concentration (0.1 microM) for 2 days (short-term) and 7 days (long-term). This stimulatory effect of catechin was not related to the incubating concentration. Similar changes were also observed in the gene expression of SOD in RBA. The increase in quantity of SOD-messenger RNA was remarkable and seemed to be more obvious than the other antioxidants such as vitamin E. This result shows that catechin is an effective antioxidant to increase the activity of SOD in RBA which would be beneficial to neurons subjected to oxygen free radical damage.
Chan
Paul
P
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, No 111, Sing-Lung Road, Section 3, Wen-Shan District, Taipei City 117, Taiwan.
Cheng
Juei Tang
JT
Tsai
Jen Chen
JC
Lien
Gi Shih
GS
Chen
Fu Chean
FC
Kao
Pai Feng
PF
Liu
Ju Chi
JC
Chen
Yi Jen
YJ
Hsieh
Min Hsing
MH
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002392:Catechin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase