Senescence-Mediated Redox Imbalance in Liver and Kidney: Antioxidant Rejuvenating Potential of Green Tea Extract

Abstract

This study investigates the catechin composition and protective effect of green tea extract on senescence-mediated redox imbalance in the livers and kidneys of aged mice. The results showed that the seven catechins in the green tea extract analyzed in this study could be completely separated within 30 min and the main components of catechins in green tea extract were EGCG, EGC and ECG. In terms of the anti-senescence effects of green tea extract, green tea extract supplementation at doses of 125, 625 and 1250 mg/kg for 4 weeks significantly alleviated the senescence-mediated redox imbalance, as exhibited from significantly (p < 0.05) reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls levels in the serum, and increased glutathione (GSH) and total thiols contents in the plasma. Additionally, hepatic and renal protein carbonyls levels were significantly diminished (p < 0.05) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) in the liver and kidney were remarkably elevated (p < 0.05). Overall, these results clearly show that green tea extract exhibits extremely potent protective effects against senescence-mediated redox imbalance in the livers and kidneys of mice by inhibiting oxidative damage of lipids and proteins and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in organs.

The Role of Antioxidants in the Interplay between Oxidative Stress and Senescence

“…These antioxidants have a positive impact also on the brain structure, as murine models fed with green tea show an attenuated brain atrophy compared with SAM drinking pure water, thus suggesting an anti-aging property of these molecules [ 287 ]. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most representative flavanol in green tea and its role in contrasting senescence is due to an activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative mechanisms (such as GPx and tocopherol), which are typically reduced in old age [ 288 , 289 , 290 , 291 , 292 ]. Interestingly, EGCG anti-senescence effects can also be observed at a macroscopic level as its supplementation reduces age-related sarcopenia in mice [ 293 ].…”

The modulation effects of plant‐derived bioactive ingredients on chronic kidney disease: Focus on the gut–kidney axis

“…Moreover, trials have shown that EGCG possesses anti‐infective characteristics, blocking cell invasion by multiple viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (Marin et al., 2015), and preventing entry of hepatitis C virus by weakening viral attachment to the cell surface (Calland et al., 2015). Catechins in green tea have protective effects against aging‐mediated redox imbalance in the liver and kidney by inhibiting oxidative damage to lipids and proteins and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in mice organs (Y. W. Hsu et al., 2021).…”

EGCG Alleviates Obesity-Induced Myocardial Fibrosis in Rats by Enhancing Expression of SCN5A

“…After two weeks of adaptive breeding, SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: a) the control group (n = 10), with a normal diet for 36 weeks; b) HFD-fed group (n = 10), with the HFD (15% lard, 30% sucrose, 2% cholesterol, 1% sodium cholate, 5% protein powder, and 47% regular diet), in which sucrose can be converted into energy and fat, for 36 weeks; c) EGCG-treated HFD-fed group (n = 10), with the HFD for 36 weeks and intragastrically administered with 160 mg/kg/d EGCG for the last 4 weeks (Figure 1B). According to previous studies, 100-200 mg/kg/d EGCG treatment could provide therapeutic effects on early aged hypertension-induced neural apoptosis (20) and senescence-mediated redox imbalance in the livers and kidneys in mice (21). Therefore, we chose 160 mg/kg/d as our experimental dose in our study.…”