Effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on iron overload in mice with alcoholic liver disease

Iron has long been related to the pathological process of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Liver iron overload is known to accelerate the development of ALD. In the present study we aimed to examine the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on iron overload of ALD and to explore the potential mechanisms involved in its protection against ALD in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were given alcohol by intragastric administration for 12 weeks. At the end of 8th week, ALD mice were treated for 4 weeks for 10, 20 and 30 mg kg^–1 EGCG by intraperitoneal injection. Liver injuries were assessed by histopathologic examination and Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Serum iron content, hepatic iron concentration and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were examined. In addition, hepcidin mRNA levels and transferrin (Tf) and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) protein levels of liver tissue were also evaluated. Compared with model group, treatment of ALD mice with EGCG ameliorated liver injuries, decreased serum iron level, hepatic iron levels and liver MDA contents, increased hepcidin mRNA level and decreased Tf and TfR1 protein expression in the liver. The results of our study explain a new point of view that the protective effect of EGCG on ALD is associated with its iron-chelating property. The possible mechanisms are that EGCG affects hepatic iron uptake and inhibits iron absorption in the small intestinal.