Epigallocatechin gallate does not accelerate the early phase of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats.

Two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) is an established model for the study of liver regeneration after resection. This process is accompanied by oxidative stress. In our study, we tested the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea antioxidant, on the early phase of liver regeneration after PHx. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: (I) laparotomy + water for intraperitoneal injections, (II) laparotomy + EGCG 50 mg/kg body weight, (III) PHx + water for injections, (IV) PHx + EGCG 20 mg/kg and (V) PHx + EGCG 50 mg/kg, for 3 consecutive days. The rats were killed 24 h after surgery. Biochemical analysis of rat sera was performed. Histological samples were stained with hematoxylin & eosin and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). In hepatectomized rats, we also measured plasma malondialdehyde, tissue malondialdehyde, glutathione and cytokines levels, the activity of caspases 3/7, expression of Nqo-1 and HO-1 genes at the mRNA level, and expression of p21, p-p27 and p-p53 genes at the protein level. We observed lower accumulation of BrdU in group V when compared to groups III and IV. The activity of caspases 3/7 and expression of p-p53 were lower in group V than in groups III and IV. Tissue levels of IL-6 were lower in group V when compared to group III. Significant differences were not noted in other parameters. Administration of EGCG did not stimulate early phase liver regeneration in rats after PHx. There was even lower DNA synthesis in the group treated with a high dose of EGCG.