Antioxidant Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas resulting from auto-activation of digestiveenzymes and damage to the pancreatic parenchyma. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the progressionof AP. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) in reducing the inflammatory reaction andtissue damage in experimental AP rat model.Materials and Methods: Amylase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured.Histopathological, immunohistochemical analyses of apoptotic cells, CD-8α and CD-68 were performed. Superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were determined in hemolysates.Results: Cerulein+EGCG treatment did not cause decreases in the amylase levels. IL-6 levels decreased in cerulein+EGCG group,however, TNF-α levels increased. No changes were observed in SOD activity by EGCG treatment, CAT and GST activities increased.EGCG treatment caused severe edema, inflammation and fat necrosis after cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Apoptosis in pancreas,CD8-α and CD-68 positive cells increased in EGCG treatment after pancreatitis induction.Conclusion: It may be suggested that EGCG showed a pro-oxidant effect, in contrast to the expected in the pancreatitis modelwhen compared to a positive control. It can be concluded that overconsumption of EGCG should be avoided in pancreatitisconditions.