[Efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate in treatment of alkali burn injury of murine cornea].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in treatment of corneal alkali burn injury in mice.

METHODS:

Corneal alkali burn injury was induced by sodium hydroxide method in C57BL/6J mice. The mice with cornea burns were treated intraperitoneally with EGCG solution or phosphate buffer solution (PBS) respectively. The healing of corneal epithelium, the formation of corneal neovascularization (CNV) and the inflammation reaction were assessed by slit -lamp microscopy and histological examination. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein in cornea was evaluated by real -time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay was used to quantitatively evaluate the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) infiltration in the corneas.

RESULTS:

The healing rate of corneal epithelium in EGCG group was significantly higher than that of PBS group at d1, d3 and d7 after treatment (d1: 41.0%±13.0% vs 23.8%±7.6%; d3: 76.6%±7.5% vs 61.2%±6.8%; d7: 87.8%±8.5% vs 74.0%±9.1%; all P <0.05). The CNV scores and the number of CNV in the corneal sections of EGCG group were significantly lower than those of PBS group at d3, d7 and d14 after treatment (CNV score: d3: 1.1±0.5 vs 6.6±1.0; d7: 1.3±0. 3 vs 8.1±1.0; d14: 0.9±0.2 vs 9.2±1.1; CNV number: d3: 1.68±0.61 vs 2.92±0.95; d7: 4.80±1.36 vs 7.92±1.28; d14: 3.64±0.71 vs 5.88±0.76; all P<0.05) . The expression of VEGF protein at d3 (0.19±0.05 vs 0.45±0.08) and d7 (0.42±0.07 vs 0.84±0.09), the expression of VEGF mRNA at d1, d3 and d7 in EGCG group were significantly lower than those in PBS group (all P <0.05). Compared to PBS group, the inflammatory index at d3 (3.2±0.4 vs 3.7±0.5) and d7 (2.3±0.5 vs 4.0±0.0), the number of PMNs in the corneal sections and the MPO values at d3, d7 and d14 in EGCG group were significantly decreased (PMNs: d3: 34.5±15.7 vs 90.0±28.8; d7: 17.1±11.4 vs 54.9±25.9; d14: 12. 8±4.6 vs 39.0±17.9; all P <0.05).

CONCLUSION:

In the murine corneal alkali burn model, intraperitoneal injection of EGCG solution can promote the healing of corneal epithelium, inhibit the formation of CNV and reduce the inflammatory cell infiltration in the corneas.

• Authors: Lian-Qun Wu, Min Lu
• Journal: Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences (Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban) Vol. 44 Issue 1 Pg. 15-23 (01 2015) ISSN: 1008-9292 [Print] China
• PMID: 25851970 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkalies
• RNA, Messenger
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse
• Catechin
• epigallocatechin gallate

Topics

• Alkalies
• Animals
• Burns, Chemical (drug therapy)
• Catechin (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Cornea (drug effects, pathology)
• Corneal Neovascularization (prevention & control)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Eye Burns (drug therapy)
• Inflammation (drug therapy, immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Neutrophils (cytology)
• RNA, Messenger
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)