Fasting-induced intestinal damage is mediated by oxidative and inflammatory responses.
BACKGROUND
Green tea has been shown to repair fasting-induced mucosal damage in rat intestine. The aim of this study was to elucidate the underlying mechanism.


METHODS
Five groups of rats were used. Group 1 had free access to chow diet and water, and those in group 2 were fasted for 3 days. Animals in group 3 were fasted for 3 days, then were allowed drinking water for a further 7 days. Groups 4 and 5 were fasted for 3 days, then given drinking water containing green tea or vitamin E respectively for 7 days. Blood was collected for estimation of total plasma antioxidants, and jejunal samples were used for immunohistochemical analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and for estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.


RESULTS
Use of green tea was associated with a significant increase in total plasma antioxidants (P < 0.001), and mucosal SOD (P < 0.001), catalase (P = 0.006) and GPx (P = 0.017), but a significant decrease in MPO activity (P < 0.001). Vitamin E produced similar changes, but the effects were smaller.


CONCLUSIONS
Green tea reverses the fasting-induced damage to the intestinal mucosa by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
Department of Pathology, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.
S
S
Abdeen
T C
TC
Mathew
I
I
Khan
H
H
Dashti
S
S
Asfar
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004751:Enteritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013662:Tea / Q000502:physiology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013662:Tea; D014810:Vitamin E; D002374:Catalase; D009195:Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase