title: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces allergen-induced asthma-like reaction in sensitized guinea pigs.
abstract: In this study, we have evaluated the effects of the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant molecule that also enhances constitutive nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity, on antigen-induced asthma-like reaction in sensitized guinea pigs. For comparison, we used epicatechin, which shares antioxidant but not NOS-modulating properties with EGCG. Ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs placed in a respiratory chamber were challenged with ovalbumin. EGCG (25 mg/kg b.wt.) or epicatechin (25 mg/kg b.wt.) was given i.p. 20 min before ovalbumin challenge. We analyzed latency time for the onset of respiratory abnormalities, cough severity, duration of dyspnea, lung tissue histopathology, mast cell activation (by granule release), leukocyte/eosinophilic infiltration (by major basic protein and myeloperoxidase), oxygen free radical-mediated injury (by nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and superoxide dismutase), NOS activity, and bronchial inflammatory response [by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)]. In the sensitized animals, severe respiratory abnormalities appeared soon after the antigen challenge, accompanied by bronchoconstriction, alveolar inflation, and a marked increase in the assayed parameters of inflammatory cell recruitment, free radical lung injury, and release of proinflammatory molecules in BAL fluid. This was associated with marked depression of constitutive NOS activity. Pretreatment with EGCG, but not epicatechin, significantly reduced all the above parameters and sustained endothelial-type NOS activity. These findings provide evidence that EGCG, probably by modulating NOS activity, can counteract allergic asthma-like reaction in sensitized guinea pigs and suggest its possible future use for the treatment of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Section of Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bani
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciampa
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masini
authors.forename: Ylenia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menegazzi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nistri
authors.forename: Hisanori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D002392:Catechin; D010047:Ovalbumin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase