Green Tea and Red Tea from Camellia sinensis Partially Prevented the Motor Deficits and Striatal Oxidative Damage Induced by Hemorrhagic Stroke in Rats

Abstract

Green tea from Camellia sinensis plays a well-established neuroprotective role in several neurodegenerative diseases, including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the other teas of the same plant do not have their properties well understood; but they can be as effective as green tea as an alternative therapy. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with green tea and red tea from Camellia sinensis on motor deficits and striatum oxidative damage in rats submitted to hemorrhagic stroke (ICH). Male Wistar rats were supplemented with green tea, red tea, or vehicle for 10 days prior to ICH induction. After injury, the rats were submitted to motor tests (open field for locomotion, rotarod for balance, and neurological deficit scale (NDS)) 1, 3, and 7 days after ICH induction, while the tea supplementation was maintained. Subsequently, the rats were euthanized to striatal tissue dissection for biochemical analyzes (lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, glutathione levels, and total antioxidant capacity). ICH caused locomotor and balance deficits, as well as increased the neurological deficit (NDS). Only red tea prevented locomotor deficits after injury. Green tea and red tea prevented balance deficits on the seventh day after ICH. On NDS evaluation, green tea presented a better neuroprotection than red tea (until day 3 after ICH injury). In addition, ICH increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels, without altering antioxidant markers. Green and red teas were effective in decreasing the lipid peroxidation levels. Therefore, green and red teas partially prevented the motor deficits and striatal oxidative damage induced by ICH. Based on our results, we can consider that the two teas seem to be equally effective to prevent motor deficits and striatal oxidative damage induced by hemorrhagic stroke in rats.

Figure 1

Experimental design. All rats were supplemented with green tea (GT), red tea (RT), or vehicle for 10 days prior to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Twenty-four hours after, the rats were submitted to training in neuromotor tests (open field: OF; rotarod: RR; neurological deficit scale: NDS). In the following day (day 0), the rats were submitted to ICH or sham surgery following by 24 hours of recovery. On days 1, 3, and 7 after surgery, the rats were submitted to neuromotor tests. During all behavioral testing days, the rats continued to receive supplementation with tea or vehicle. On the eighth day, the rats were euthanized and the striatum were isolated to biochemical testing.

Figure 2

Effects of green and red tea administration on neuromotor function after ICH in rats. (a) Open field test: number of crossings; (b) rotarod test: latency to the first fall in seconds; (c) rotarod test: total number of falls; (d) neurological deficit scale: total score. Data are presented as the mean ± S.E.M. One-way ANOVA ^∗P < 0.05 in comparison to sham group, ^#P < 0.05 in comparison to the ICH group (n = 10/group).

Figure 3

Effects of administration of green tea and red tea on oxidative stress, oxidative damage, and antioxidant markers on striatum after ICH in rats. (a) ROS levels by DCFH method; (b) lipid peroxidation by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance); (c) glutathione levels (GSH); (d) total antioxidant capacity by FRAP method. Data are presented as the mean ± S.E.M. One-way ANOVA ^∗P < 0.05 in comparison to sham group; ^#P < 0.05 in comparison to ICH group (n = 6/group).