Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation of Catechin Effect: Experimental Peripheral Nerve Injury in Rats

Introduction:Catechins are one of the flavanols in the polyphenol group. The sub-groups of the flavanols are catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin and epigallocatechingallat (EGKG). Catechins are known for their natural antioxidant activities and used in the treatment of vascular, viral, gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases.

Material and Method :74 Albino-Wistar mail adult rats were used. Rats were randomly selected and classified in 6 groups: control, trauma, serum physiological (SP), 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and daily consumption of EGKG (10 mg/kg). The first group was not subjected to any operation. Other groups were exposed to compression damage for 1 minute using a clip closing with a pressure of 50gr/cm2. The second group was given trauma, the third was given after trauma SP, the fourth group was given 25 mg/kg EGKG, the fifth group was given 50 mg/kg EGKG. The sixth group, daily consumption EGKG group, was given intraperitoneal 10 mg/kg EGKG for 14 days and then the rats in this group were exposed to trauma. Nerve samples were taken from each group 28 days after traumas; light and electron microscopic sections of these samples were histopathologically analyzed and their lipid peroxidation levels were determinded biochemicalley.

Results :Levels of lipid peroxidation were reduced at a statistically significant level in the trauma + daily consumption EGKG, trauma + 25 mg/kg EGKG, trauma + 50 mg/kg EGKG groups when compared to the trauma and trauma + SP groups. Degeneration and oedema were reduced as well in the trauma + daily consumption EGKG, trauma + 25 mg/kg EGKG group when compared to the trauma and trauma + SP groups..

Conclusions :Catechin and its derivatives reduced secondary damage which is an important component of peripheral neural damage in rats. In the present study, consumption of the compounds rich in antioxidants like green tea has a protective role for neurotravma like peripheral neural damage..