The anti-fibrotic effect of green tea with a high catechin content in the galactosamine-injured rat liver.
Previously, we reported that the oral administration of green tea rich in catechins restored levels of several biomarkers increasing in galactosamine-treated rats to nearly control values. These biomarkers included serum transaminase activities, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1-beta, and the hepatic mRNA expression of these inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we examined possible anti-fibrotic effects of green tea in galactosamine-induced hepatitis. The results of the reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction indicated that the increase in gene expression of the alpha1 chain of collagen type 1 and transforming growth factor beta-1 in the injured liver 24 h post-injection of galactosamine was suppressed by the administration of green tea. Masson's trichrome staining demonstrated that the extent of fibrogenesis after 14 days was greater in the galactosamine-injured livers not treated with green tea than the treated ones. These results suggest that the drinking of green tea with a high catechin content may help to prevent and/or attenuate the development of fibrosis in hepatitis.
Abe
Kouichi
K
Graduate School of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, and COE for the 21st Century, University of Shizuoka, Yada, Shizuoka, Japan.
Suzuki
Takuji
T
Ijiri
Mitsuhiro
M
Koyama
Yu
Y
Isemura
Mamoru
M
Kinae
Naohide
N
D000818:Animals; D002392:Catechin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
D013662:Tea; D005688:Galactosamine; D002392:Catechin