Green tea polyphenols avert chronic inflammation-induced myocardial fibrosis of female rats

Green tea proposes anti-inflammatory properties which may attenuate chronic inflammation-induced fibrosis of vessels. This study evaluated whether green tea polyphenols (GTP) can avert fibrosis or vascular disruption along with mechanisms in rats with chronic inflammation. Forty 3-month-old female rats were assigned to a 2 (placebo vs. lipopolysaccharide, administration) x 2 (no GTP vs. 0.5% GTP in drinking water) factorial design for 12 weeks. Masson's trichrome staining evaluated myocardial fibrosis in coronary vessels and surrounding myocardium. Whole blood specimens were counted for differentials. Spleen tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA expression was determined by real-time RT-PCR. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by mean separation procedures. After 12 weeks, lipopolysaccharide administration induced myocardial fibrosis in vessels and surrounding myocardium, spleen TNF-alpha mRNA expression, and leukocytes, while GTP supplementation in drinking water significantly averted such observation. GTP attenuates myocardial fibrosis through a suppression of chronic inflammation and innate immune responses.