Tea polyphenols regulate key mediators on inflammatory cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Tea polyphenols known as catechins are key components with many biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic effects. These effects are induced by the suppression of several inflammatory factors including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). While these characteristics of catechins have been well documented, actions of catechins as mediators on inflammation-related cardiovascular diseases have not yet been well investigated. In this article, we reviewed recent papers to reveal the anti-inflammatory effects of catechins in cardiovascular diseases. In our laboratory, we performed oral administration of catechins into murine and rat models of cardiac transplantation, myocarditis, myocardial ischemia, and atherosclerosis to reveal the effects of catechins on the inflammation-induced ventricular and arterial remodeling. From our results, catechins are potent agents for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cardiovascular diseases because they are critically involved in the suppression of proinflammatory signaling pathways.

Figure 1

Gel mobility shift assay of cardiac transplantation. Gel mobility shift assay documented that increased NF-κκB binding activity was observed in nontreated allografts. This enhanced NF-κB binding was reduced by catechin administration (20 mg/kg/day, THEA-FLAN 90S).

Figure 2

Zymography of myocardial ischemia. Gelatin zymography showed that increased gelatinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) activity was observed in hearts in the non-treated ischemia group. However, this enhanced gelatinase activity was decreased by catechin administration (20 mg/kg/day, THEA-FLAN 90S).

Figure 3

RNase protection assay of myocarditis. TNF-alpha mRNA level was markedly decreased in the catechin treated group compared with that of control group. On the other hand, mRNA levels of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 in the catechin treated group (20 mg/kg/day, THEA-FLAN 90S) were markedly enhanced compared with that of control group.

Figure 4

Immunohistochemistry of atherosclerosis. Panels show representative immunohistochemical findings. VCAM-1 expression was enhanced in the aortic walls of non-treated LDLRKO mice. However, catechin administration (2% THEA-FLAN 90S contained high fat chaw) suppressed the expression in the organs of LDLRKO mice.