Original Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2009; 15(15): 1829-1835
Published online Apr 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1829
Protective effect of tea polyphenols against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice is significanly correlated with cytochrome P450 suppression
Xia Chen, Chang-Kai Sun, Guo-Zhu Han, Jin-Yong Peng, Ying Li, Yan-Xia Liu, Yuan-Yuan Lv, Ke-Xin Liu, Qin Zhou, Hui-Jun Sun
Xia Chen, Chang-Kai Sun, Guo-Zhu Han, Jin-Yong Peng, Ying Li, Yan-Xia Liu, Yuan-Yuan Lv, Ke-Xin Liu, Qin Zhou, Hui-Jun Sun, Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Chen X, Sun CK contributed equally to this work; Han GZ, Sun HJ designed the research; Chen X, Liu YX, Lv YY performed the research; Peng JY, Li Y analyzed the data; Sun HJ, Liu KX wrote the paper; Zhou Q provided the vital reagents and analytical tools.
Correspondence to: Hui-Jun Sun, Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, 9 west section, Lvshun South Road, Lvshunkou District, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China. sunhuijun@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-411-86110413
Fax: +86-411-86110407
Received: December 31, 2008
Revised: March 3, 2009
Accepted: March 10, 2009
Published online: April 21, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of tea polyphenols (TP) and its relation with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) expression in mice.

METHODS: Hepatic CYP450 and CYPb5 levels were measured by UV-spectrophotometry in mice 2 d after intraperitoneal TP (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg per day). Then the mice were intragastricly pre-treated with TP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg per day) for six days before paracetamol (1000 mg/kg) was given. Their acute mortality was compared with that of control mice. The mice were pre-treated with TP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg per day) for five days before paracetamol (500 mg/kg) was given. Hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 protein and mRNA expression levels were evaluated by Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining and transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: The hepatic CYP450 and CYPb5 levels in mice of TP-treated groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg per day) were decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared with those in the negative control mice. TP significantly attenuated the paracetamol-induced hepatic injury and dramatically reduced the mortality of paracetamol-treated mice. Furthermore, TP reduced CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 expression at both protein and mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION: TP possess potential hepatoprotective properties and can suppress CYP450 expression.

Keywords: Tea polyphenols; Cytochrome P450; Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity