Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects heart and kidney DNA from intestinal ischemia /reperfusion injury in rats

Context: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is considered as a major clinical problem .It induced tissue injury and apoptosis mainly via oxygen free radicals,. Leading to the development of local and distant organ dysfunction, Objective: This study investigates DNA damage to the heart and kidney, as a result of intestinal I/R, and possible DNA protection through the administration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG was chosen to be investigated in this model based on previous studies showed its antioxidants, anti- fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects. Materials and methods: A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: sham, I/R, I/R pretreated with EGCG (50 mg/kg ip 30 min before ischemia) and EGCG treated (50 mg/kg ip). Apoptosis was assessed using comet assay. Indices of heart and kidney damage were measured (caspase-3,8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and heat-shock protein-70).Results: Intestinal I/R caused heart and kidney damage as noted by significant increased DNA parameters (DNA tailed % , DNA untailed % , DNA Tail length , Tail DNA % and tailed moment), increased serum level of caspase-3,8-hydroxydeoxyguanosineand and heat-shock protein-70. EGCG significantly reduced DNA damage parameters on the comet assay in heart and kidney homogenate, and reduced serum levels of caspase-3,8-hydroxydeoxyguanosineand and heat-shock protein-70. Conclusion: Based on our results, we conclude that EGCG can protect the heart and kidney against intestinal I/R injury via an anti-apoptotic mechanism.