Abstract
Significance: Protection of glandular cells from autoimmune-induced damage would be of significant clinical benefit to Sjogren's syndrome (SS) patients. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) possesses anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and autoantigen-inhibitory properties. Aims: To investigate if EGCG protects against certain autoimmune-induced pathological changes in the salivary glands of the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model for SS. Main methods: Animals were provided with either water or water containing 0.2% EGCG. At the age of 8, 16 and 22 weeks, submandibular salivary gland tissue and serum samples were collected for pathological and serological analysis. Key findings: Significant lymphocyte infiltration was observed in the salivary glands of the water-fed group at the age of 16 weeks, while the EGCG group showed reduced lymphocyte infiltration. By 22 weeks of age, water-fed animals demonstrated elevated levels of apoptotic activity within the lymphocytic infiltrates, and high levels of serum total anti-nuclear antibody, compared to EGCG-fed animals. Remarkably, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 levels in the salivary glands of water-fed NOD mice were significantly elevated in comparison to BALB/c control mice; in contrast, PCNA and Ki-67 levels in EGCG-fed NOD animals were similar to BALB/c mice. These results indicate that EGCG protects the NOD mouse submandibular glands from autoimmune-induced inflammation, and reduces serum autoantibody levels. Abnormal proliferation, rather than apoptosis, appears to be a characteristic of the NOD mouse gland that is normalized by EGCG. The evidence suggests that EGCG could be useful in delaying or managing SS-like autoimmune disorders.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 581-588 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Life sciences |
Volume | 83 |
Issue number | 17-18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 24 2008 |
Keywords
- Autoimmune disease
- EGCG
- Green tea
- Non-obese diabetic mice
- Sjogren's syndrome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)