Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology
Online ISSN : 1881-7742
Print ISSN : 0301-4800
ISSN-L : 0301-4800
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Preventive Effects of C-2 Epimeric Isomers of Tea Catechins on Mouse Type I Allergy
Kyoji YOSHINOToshio MIYASEMitsuaki SANO
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 56 Issue 3 Pages 211-215

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Abstract

The preventive effects of C-2 epimeric isomers of (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) and the O-methylated derivative, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate (EGCG3''Me), against ovalbumin-induced type I allergy in male mice were investigated. EGCG and EGCG3''Me exhibited strong antiallergic effects by oral administration at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight. The antiallergic effects of their C-2 epimers, (−)-gallocatechin-3-O-gallate and (−)-gallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate (GCG3''Me), on mouse type I allergy were almost equivalent to and/or as strong as those of the corresponding original catechins, respectively. Oral administration of these compounds at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight tended to suppress the increases in interleukin-4 levels in the abdominal walls of allergic mice and immunoglobulin E levels in the serum of allergic mice. In particular, the administration of GCG3''Me exhibited significant effects on the production and/or release of these parameters stimulating type 2 T helper cells and mast cells in the type I allergic process. These results indicated that C-2 epimerization of tea catechins, which are produced during heat processing at high temperatures, would not be disadvantageous for preventive effects on type I allergy.

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© 2010 by the Center for Academic Publications Japan
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