High doses of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea induces cardiac fibrosis in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major green tea polyphenol, is effective in the prevention of several chronic diseases, and is marketed as part of many dietary supplements. We have now examined the myocardiotoxic effect of high doses of EGCG in mice.


RESULTS
EGCG (500 and 1000 mg/kg·d) induced cardiac collagen synthesis and fibrosis-related protein expression, such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and fibronectin (FN) in mice. Moreover, EGCG decreased the protein expression of p-AMPK and increased the levels of p-p70S6 K and p-S6.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first evidence that high oral doses of EGCG could induce cardiac fibrosis, and shed new light on the understanding of EGCG-mediated myocardiotoxicity.
Guangzhou Research Institute of Snake Venom, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. yicaisysu@163.com.
Yi
Y
Cai
Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Shu-Qiao
SQ
He
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Hui-Qi
HQ
Hong
Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Yue-Peng
YP
Cai
Guangzhou Research Institute of Snake Venom, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Li
L
Zhao
Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510182, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Mei
M
Zhang
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
C526318:CCN2 protein, mouse; D005353:Fibronectins; D013662:Tea; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D002392:Catechin; D003094:Collagen; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate
(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate; AMP-activated protein kinase; Cardiac fibrosis; Collagen synthesis; Green tea polyphenols