Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on ischemia-reperfusion injury: an experimental study in rats

Skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a significant concern in various clinical settings. Oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration play central roles in its pathophysiology. However, clinicians have very few therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of IRI. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on (i) skeletal muscle injury, (ii) oxidative stress, and (iii) markers related to neutrophil infiltration.

This was an experimental study conducted on rats. The IRI model involved the application of an elastic rubber band for 4 + 2 hours (IRI group). In the sham control (SC) group, all procedures were identical except for the rubber band application. Saline (10 mL/kg, intraperitoneally) and EGCG (25 or 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were administered 30 minutes before reperfusion (IRI-SF, IRI-25, and IRI-50 groups, respectively). Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was the primary endpoint. Other parameters included lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), E-selectin, P-selectin, L-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and various cytokines (interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β], IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), which were measured in serum or gastrocnemius muscle samples.

CPK, LDH, and TOS levels were higher in the IRI group compared to the SC group (p=0.001, p=0.0001, and p=0.005, respectively). Although not statistically significant, decreases in these parameters were observed in the IRI-50 group compared to the IRI group (p=0.628, p=0.167, and p=0.444, respectively). Regarding TAS, a noticeable decrease was observed in the IRI group compared to the SC group (p=0.054), which was significantly increased by treatment with 50 mg/kg EGCG (p=0.011). For the remaining parameters (except IL-6), there were no statistically significant increases in the IRI group compared to SC, nor decreases in the EGCG-treated groups compared to the IRI group.

We propose that EGCG possesses antioxidant activity. However, any beneficial effect related to its interaction with neutrophil infiltration markers remains only suggestive.