[Green tea extracts protected against carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver damage and cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE

Using the carbon tetrachloride liver cirrhosis rat model, the protective effect of the green tea extractive (GTE) on the liver cirrhosis was studied.

METHODS

Male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, GTE group and cirrhosis group. The GTE group and the cirrhosis group were injected subcutanuously 2 times/wk over 9 weeks with 40% CCl(4). In the second and the ninth week, the rats were sacrificed to measure MDA and hydroxyproline concentrations and TGF-beta(1) mRNA expression in liver tissue, as well as to conduct histological examination on various organs.

RESULTS

Compared with the cirrhosis group, the MDA and the hydroxyproline concentrations in the GTE group were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The liver necrosis and cirrhosis were extenuated in the GTE group by means of histologic examination. The expression of the TGF-beta(1) mRNA was reduced significantly in the GTE group.

CONCLUSION

Dietary supplementation of GTE can protect against CCl(4)-induced liver damage and cirrhosis in rats.