Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main compound of green tea with well-described antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tumor-suppressing properties. However, EGCG at high doses was reported to cause liver injury. In this study, we evaluated the effect of EGCG on primary culture of rat hepatocytes and on rat liver mitochondria in permeabilized hepatocytes. The 24-hour incubation with EGCG in concentrations of 10 μmol/L and higher led to signs of cellular injury and to a decrease in hepatocyte functions. The effect of EGCG on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was biphasic. While low doses of EGCG decreased ROS production, the highest tested dose induced a significant increase in ROS formation. Furthermore, we observed a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential in cells exposed to EGCG when compared to control cells. In permeabilized hepatocytes, EGCG caused damage of the outer mitochondrial membrane and an uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. EGCG in concentrations lower than 10 μmol/L was recognized as safe for hepatocytes in vitro.

• MeSH
• Tea chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Microscopy, Fluorescence MeSH
• Hepatocytes cytology   drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Mitochondria, Liver drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Caspase 3 metabolism   MeSH
• Catechin analogs & derivatives   toxicity   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial drug effects   MeSH
• Oxidative Phosphorylation drug effects   MeSH
• Rats, Wistar MeSH
• Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism   MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Survival drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Tea MeSH
• epigallocatechin gallate MeSH Browser
• Caspase 3 MeSH
• Catechin MeSH
• Reactive Oxygen Species MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha MeSH