Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on diethyldithiocarbamate-induced pancreatic fibrosis in rats.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea extracts, is known to have anti-fibrotic properties in many organs. The aim of present study was to investigate effects of EGCG on rat pancreatic fibrosis induced by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). Oral gavages of different dose of EGCG (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg daily for 8 weeks) ameliorated histological changes and significantly suppressed collagen deposition in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, administration of EGCG inhibited overexpression of TGF-beta1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (a symbol of activation of pancreatic stellate cells). Moreover, EGCG has a potent influence on expression of Smads (downstream transcription factor of TGF-beta1). EGCG suppressed the expression of Smad3 and enhanced the expression of Smad7. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that EGCG attenuated rat pancreatic fibrosis induced by DDC and therefore may be an anti-fibrogenic candidate in the pancreatic fibrosis.
Meng
Min
M
Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
Li
Yan-Qing
YQ
Yan
Ming-Xian
MX
Kou
Yi
Y
Ren
Hong-Bo
HB
D000199:Actins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000737:chemistry; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D051900:Smad3 Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051906:Smad7 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051900:Smad3 Protein; C497787:Smad3 protein, rat; D051906:Smad7 Protein; C497808:Smad7 protein, rat; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D002392:Catechin; D003094:Collagen; D004050:Ditiocarb; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate