Green tea polyphenols and 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ attenuate chronic inflammation-induced myocardial fibrosis in female rats

J Med Food. 2012 Mar;15(3):269-77. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0163. Epub 2011 Dec 19.

Abstract

Studies have suggested that 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ and green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are promising dietary supplements for mitigating chronic inflammation-induced fibrosis of vessels because of their anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated (1) the impact of 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ on myocardial fibrosis in female rats with chronic inflammation and (2) if 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ and GTPs have an additive or synergistic effect to attenuate myocardial fibrosis in these female rats. A 3-month study of a 2 (no 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ vs. 0.05 μg/kg 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃, five times per week) ×2 (no GTPs vs. 0.5% GTPs in drinking water) factorial design in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-administered female rats was performed. Additionally, a group receiving placebo administration was used to compare with a group receiving LPS administration only to evaluate the effect of LPS. Masson's Trichrome staining evaluated myocardial fibrosis in coronary vessels and surrounding myocardium. Spleen cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Total lipid profiles were also determined. Whole blood was used for differential cell counts. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance followed by mean separation procedures. At 3 months LPS administration induced myocardial fibrosis in vessels and surrounding myocardium, spleen cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression, and elevated leukocyte counts, whereas both 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ administration and GTPs supplementation significantly attenuated these pro-inflammatory events. The inhibitory effects of 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ and GTPs seem to be an individual effect, instead of an additive or synergistic effect. 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ and GTPs lowered red blood cell counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Neither 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ nor GTPs affected lipid profiles. In summary, both 1-α-OH-vitamin D₃ administration and GTPs supplementation mitigate myocardial fibrosis through suppression of a chronic inflammation innate immune response.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Coronary Vessels / immunology
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / immunology*
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / pathology
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Hydroxycholecalciferols / therapeutic use*
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Leukocytosis / immunology
  • Leukocytosis / prevention & control
  • Myocardium / immunology
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Phytotherapy
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Tea / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Hydroxycholecalciferols
  • Polyphenols
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tea
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Ptgs2 protein, rat
  • alfacalcidol