Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates behavioral and biochemical deficits in rat model of load-induced chronic fatigue syndrome

Brain Res Bull. 2011 Oct 10;86(3-4):165-72. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.06.007. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder with unknown pathogenesis and etiology, characterized by tiredness, difficulty in concentration and memory, and concomitant skeletal and muscular pain, thus affecting both mental and physical domains. The pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome is multifactorial and involves increased oxido-nitrosative stress along with generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. In the present study chronic fatigue was produced in rats by plunging a load of 10 ± 2% body weight and subjecting them to forced swim inside a rectangular jar daily for 28 days. Endurance capacity and post-swim fatigue were assessed on 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days. EGCG was administered daily by oral gavage 30 min before forced swim session. On the 29th day, after assessment of various behavioral parameters, blood was collected through tail vein, and animals were sacrificed to harvest the brains, spleens and thymus. Chronic fatigue group exhibited significant behavioral alterations along with enhanced oxido-nitrosative stress and serum TNF-α level as compared to naive group. Chronic treatment with EGCG restored all the behavioral and biochemical alterations associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. The present study signifies the therapeutic potential of EGCG for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Drinking / drug effects
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / metabolism
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / psychology
  • Hyperalgesia / drug therapy
  • Hyperalgesia / etiology
  • Hyperalgesia / psychology
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects
  • Postural Balance / drug effects
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate