Polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate targeting myocardial reperfusion Limits infarct size and improves cardiac function

Abstract

Background: This experiment was performed to determine the effect of polyphenolic (-)-epigallocatechin (EGCG), the most abundant catechin of green tea, given at reperfusion period. Methods: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. Green tea extract (GT) was perfused with the following concentrations; 0, 0.5, and 1 μM (GT-O, GT-0.5, and GT-1, respectively). In a next experiment, hearts were assigned randomly to one of the following groups; Control, EGCG-1 (1 μM of EGCG), and EGCG-10 (10 μM of EGCG). GT and EGCG were perfused for a period of 5 min before and 30 min after reperfusion. For comparison of cardioprotection among groups, morphometric measurement was performed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staning. Results: GT 1 μM (10.3±2.1%, P<0.05) significantly reduced infarct volume as a percentage of ischemic volume compared to untreated hearts (27.4±1.1%). EGCG 10 μM (13.2±4.0%) significantly reduced myocardial infarction compared to control hearts (27.2±1.4%, P0.002). After 2 h of reperfusion, cardiodynamic variables, including left ventricular developed pressure, rate-pressure produce, +dP/dt(max), and -dP/dt(min) were significantly improved by 10 μM of EGCG compared to control hearts (P0.01, 0.016, 0.009, and 0.019, respectively). Conclusions: EGCG treatment at an early reperfusion period reduces myocardial infarction and improves cardiodynamics in isolated rat hearts. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2010; 58: 169-175)