Abstract
Neutrophils play an essential role in host defense and inflammation, but the latter may trigger and sustain the pathogenesis of a range of acute and chronic diseases. Green tea has been claimed to exert anti-inflammatory properties through unknown molecular mechanisms. We have previously shown that the most abundant catechin of green tea, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), strongly inhibits neutrophil elastase. Here we show that 1) micromolar EGCG represses reactive oxygen species activity and inhibits apoptosis of activated neutrophils, and 2) dramatically inhibits chemokine-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro; 3) both oral EGCG and green tea extract block neutrophil-mediated angiogenesis in vivo in an inflammatory angiogenesis model, and 4) oral administration of green tea extract enhances resolution in a pulmonary inflammation model, significantly reducing consequent fibrosis. These results provide molecular and cellular insights into the claimed beneficial properties of green tea and indicate that EGCG is a potent anti-inflammatory compound with therapeutic potential.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Administration, Oral
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
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Apoptosis / drug effects
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Catechin / administration & dosage
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Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
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Catechin / pharmacology
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Collagen / administration & dosage
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Drug Combinations
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Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / toxicity
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Humans
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Injections, Subcutaneous
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Laminin / administration & dosage
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Microscopy, Fluorescence
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control
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Neutrophil Activation / drug effects
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Neutrophil Infiltration / drug effects
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Neutrophils / drug effects*
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Neutrophils / metabolism
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Neutrophils / pathology*
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Oxidants / pharmacology
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Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
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Plant Extracts / pharmacology
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Proteoglycans / administration & dosage
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Pulmonary Fibrosis / chemically induced
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Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology*
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Pulmonary Fibrosis / prevention & control*
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Tea*
Substances
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Drug Combinations
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Laminin
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Oxidants
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Plant Extracts
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Proteoglycans
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Tea
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gallocatechin gallate
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matrigel
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Catechin
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Collagen
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Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate