The of investigation possible protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the bleomycin induced scleroderma model of fibrosis

ABSTRACT THE OF INVESTIGATION POSSIBLE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF EPIGALLOCATECHIN-3-GALLATE ON THE BLEOMYCIN INDUCED SCLERODERMA MODEL OF FIBROSIS Ayşe Koçak Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine 35340, Balçova-İzmir kocak.ayse@gmail.com Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on fibrosis in bleomycin induced scleroderma model. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two healthy female Balb-c mice with the average body weight of 22±5 g were used in this study. The mice were randomly divided into four groups as control (n=8), Bleomycin (n=8), Bleomycin + EGCG (n=8) and EGCG (n=8). Skin tissue samples were collected to quantify matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-13), p-SMAD 2/3 and SMAD 2/3 in protein homogenates by western blotting. TGF-β1 expression was determined by real-time PCR. Immunohistopathological and histopathological examinations of skin tissues were also done. Results: EGCG treatment was found to decrease fibrosis in connective tissue compared to the BLM injected control, using measurements with Masson. Trichrome. Bleomycin + EGCG group showed a significant reduction in fibrosis at the dermal surface area, compared with the BLM Group, using hematoxylin measurement. MMP-1 and MMP-8 protein levels were increased and p-SMAD 2/3 protein level was decreased, using the western blotting method. The results of the qPCR method showed that TGF-β mRNA expression was decreased in the EGCG+BLM group compared with the BLM group. Conclusion: All findings agree that EGCG has a protective effect against fibrosis in scleroderma. This study is meant to reveal some novel therapeutic approaches for the cause of scleroderma and prevent of fibrosis. Key words: BLM induced Scleroderma, EGCG, fibrosis, TGF-β, MMPs