Antioxidant Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis
Elif Karacaoğlu, Gözde Girgin, Güldeniz Selmanoğlu, Terken BaydarObjective: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas resulting from auto-activation of digestive enzymes and damage to the pancreatic parenchyma. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the progression of AP. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) in reducing the inflammatory reaction and tissue 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 model when compared to a positive control. It can be concluded that overconsumption of EGCG should be avoided in pancreatitis conditions.