EGCG reducing the susceptibility to cholesterol gallstone formation through the regulation of inflammation

In order to investigate whether (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can reduce the susceptibility to cholesterol gallstone formation in vivo, cholesterol gallstones mouse model was established with lithogenic diet. Compared with the Model group, the administration of EGCG (40 mg kg(-1) d(-1) and 80 mg kg(-1) d(-1), i.g., respectively) significantly reduced the gallstone formation rates and the serum lipid levels, also maintained the body weight at a relatively low level. Results of the microarray profiling assay showed the anti-inflammation effect of EGCG underlying affecting the hepatic metabolic pathway of cholesterol. Additionally, the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) was down-regulated and the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) was up-regulated after the treatment of EGCG. Also, the expression of CYP7A1 was up-regulated after the treatment of EGCG. In conclusion, the findings of this study implied that EGCG can effectively reduce the susceptibility to cholesterol gallstone formation through the regulation of inflammation. (c) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.