Effects of catechin and epicatechin on superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of catechin and epicatechin on the activity of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) of rats after  intra-peritoneal (i.p.) administration.


METHODS
Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group which was administered daily with a 1:1 mixture of epicatechin and catechin at a concentration of 23 mg/kg body weight for 10 days  and the control group which was injected daily with an equal amount of saline. Blood and urine samples were collected before and after the administration period, as well as 10 days after (follow-up).


RESULTS
Intra-peritoneal administration of catechins led to a potent decrease  in GPx levels and a significant increase in SOD levels. TAC was significantly increased in plasma and urine. Malonaldehyde levels in urine remained stable. In the animals treated with catechins, SOD activity showed a moderate negative correlation with GPx activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Boosting the activity of the antioxidant enzymes could be a potential adjuvant approach for the treatment of the oxidative stress-related diseases.
University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. isimos@cc.uoi.gr
Yannis V
YV
Simos
Ioannis I
II
Verginadis
Ioannis K
IK
Toliopoulos
Anastasia P
AP
Velalopoulou
Ilias V
IV
Karagounis
Spyridon C
SC
Karkabounas
Angelos M
AM
Evangelou
D000818:Animals; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
D002392:Catechin; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase