title: Suppression of UVA-mediated release of labile iron by epicatechin--a link to lysosomal protection.
abstract: UVA (320-380 nm) radiation generates an oxidative stress in cells and leads to an immediate release of potentially damaging labile iron pools in human skin cells. Treatment of cultured skin fibroblasts for several hours with physiologically relevant concentrations of either epicatechin (EC), a flavonoid plant constituent present in foods, or methylated epicatechin (3'-O-methyl epicatechin, MeOEC), its major human metabolite, prevents this iron release. The similarity of the effectiveness of EC and MeOEC argues against chelation as the mechanism of iron removal. Evidence based on measurements of lysosomal integrity strongly supports the hypothesis that the catechins protect against lysosomal destruction by UVA. Such damage would normally lead to protease release, which has been previously shown to cause ferritin degradation and release of labile iron.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
authors.forename: Sharmila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu-Modak
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Polte
authors.forename: Anthie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yiakouvaki
authors.forename: Charareh
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pourzand
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rice-Evans
authors.forename: Rex M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
mesh_terms: D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D002392:Catechin; D007501:Iron; D017364:Collagenases