Therapeutic potential of green tea catechins on the development of Parkinson's disease symptoms in a transgenic A53T mouse model.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of green tea catechins on the prevention of Parkinson's disease neurobehavioral symptoms and α-synuclein blood plasma concentration in a hemizygous transgenic A53T mouse model.

Methods

Thirty 6-month-old male mice were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10/group): control, low-dose, and high-dose, receiving green tea polyphenol (GTP) treatment in their drinking water at 0%, 0.5%, and 1.5%, respectively, over a 90-day period. The efficacy of ad libitum dosing was assessed by analyzing the bioaccumulation of tea catechins in urine samples collected from metabolic cages on days 0, 30, 60, and 90, using LC/Q-TOF analysis. PD-related behavioral impairments were measured with open field and rotarod performance tests on days 0, 45, and 90. On day 90, plasma α-synuclein levels were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess treatment effects.

Results

Circulating tea catechin metabolites were detected in treated groups by day 30, with levels progressively increasing through day 90. By day 90, control mice exhibited significant deficits in rotarod performance, while both low- and high-dose groups maintained or improved their maximum time on the rotarod. Open field testing indicated reduced anxiety-related behavior in control mice compared to treated groups. ELISA analysis revealed significantly lower circulating α-synuclein levels in high-dose mice compared to controls.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that sustained administration of tea catechins significantly reduces circulating α-synuclein levels in blood plasma, improves motor coordination in a dose-dependent manner, and modulates anxiety-related behaviors in a PD mouse model.