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Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate ameliorates intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9
Author(s) -
Zhang Mei,
Xu Meimei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
fundamental and clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1472-8206
pISSN - 0767-3981
DOI - 10.1111/fcp.12294
Subject(s) - cholestasis of pregnancy , cholestasis , matrix metalloproteinase , matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor , medicine , metalloproteinase , ursodeoxycholic acid , matrix metalloproteinase 9 , chemistry , endocrinology , pregnancy , gastroenterology , fetus , biology , genetics
Matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP )‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 are involved in many illnesses affecting pregnant women, including intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy ( ICP ), a serious liver abnormality during pregnancy. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate ( EGCG ) has been widely reported to inhibit activities of MMP ‐2 and MMP ‐9. We aimed to investigate the role of EGCG in ameliorating ICP symptoms in a rat model. Using 17α‐ethinylestradiol to induce ICP in pregnant rats, we investigated the efficacy of EGCG administration on ICP symptoms, including bile flow rate, total bile acids ( TBA ) and MMP ‐2 and MMP ‐9 activities. Correlation study was conducted among levels of the two MMP s with other ICP symptoms. In ICP rats, activities of both MMP ‐2 and MMP ‐9 were significantly elevated. EGCG administration could inhibit the upregulation of MMP ‐2 and MMP ‐9 post‐transcriptionally. Furthermore, EGCG ameliorated ICP symptoms, as evidenced by restored bile flow rate and TBA , showing efficient treatment outcomes. At last, levels of TBA and the two MMP s were found to be strongly correlated. Our study demonstrates that, for the first time, the efficacy of EGCG in ameliorating ICP symptoms by inhibiting both MMP ‐2 and MMP ‐9, which supports its potential as a novel drug in ameliorating ICP .