(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate increases the number of neural stem cells around the damaged area after rat traumatic brain injury

Abstract

A major component of green tea is (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has strong antioxidant properties. Here, we investigated the effect of EGCG on neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation around the damaged area following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, male Wistar rats that had access to normal drinking water, or water containing 0.1% (w/v) EGCG, ad libitum received TBI at 10 weeks of age. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the number of nestin-positive cells around the damaged area after TBI in the EGCG treatment group increased significantly compared with the normal water group (P < 0.05). However, the number of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-positive cells and the level of peroxidation around the damaged area after TBI significantly decreased in the EGCG treatment group when compared with the water group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in contrast to the EGCG group, almost all ssDNA-positive cells in the water group co-localized with NeuN and nestin-staining. Ex vivo studies revealed that spheres could only be isolated from injured brain tissue in the water group at 3 days following TBI. However, in the EGCG group, spheres could be isolated at both 3 and 7 days following TBI. A greater number of spheres could be isolated from the EGCG group, which differentiated into neurons and glia in culture without basic fibroblast growth factor. These results indicate that consumption of water containing EGCG pre- and post-TBI inhibits free radical-induced degradation of NSCs, which have the potential to differentiate into neurons and glia around the area of damage following TBI.

Effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on proliferation and differentiation of mouse cochlear neural stem cells: Involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

“…Additionally, the number and differentiation capacity of neural stem cells were maintained by EGCG in vivo following traumatic brain injury (Itoh et al, 2011;Itoh et al, 2012). As a result, the cerebral dysfunction of the animals was improved by EGCG treatment in these studies (Itoh et al, 2011;Itoh et al, 2012). One possible explanation for these seemingly disparate results could be due to the dose-dependent effects of EGCG, which is consistent with our observation here.…”

“…For neurons, it was reported that EGCG treatment greatly enhanced the proliferation of adult hippocampal neural progenitor cell in cultures (Wang et al, 2012). Additionally, the number and differentiation capacity of neural stem cells were maintained by EGCG in vivo following traumatic brain injury (Itoh et al, 2011;Itoh et al, 2012). As a result, the cerebral dysfunction of the animals was improved by EGCG treatment in these studies (Itoh et al, 2011;Itoh et al, 2012).…”

Relation between Endogenous Stem Cells and Green Tea Extract in Overconsumption and Amiodarone Induced Thyroid Damage in Rat

“…Morphometric assessment of the area% of CD105 +ve cells was confirmative. In agreement, increase in the number of neural stem cells around the damaged area after rat traumatic brain injury was reported (25). Recently, it was proved that GTE catechins affect the activators of colony-stimulating factors in mesenchymal stromal cells (26).…”

Transplanted hUCB-MSCs migrated to the damaged area by SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling to promote functional recovery after traumatic brain injury in rats

“…Brain injury above the dura mater was then induced with a pneumatic controlled injury device at an impact velocity of 4 m/s, with an impact tip diameter of 1 mm and a fixed impact deformation depth of 2 mm from the cerebral surface. 13 As a control, age-matched rats underwent a sham operation with no impact.…”