The protective effect of catechin on gastric mucosal lesions in rats, and its hormonal mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Catechin, a polyphenol contained in tea (a cup of tea contains approximately 0.1% [w/v] catechin), has various physiological effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of catechin on gastric mucosal lesions.

METHODS

We studied the effect of catechin on gastric mucosal lesions in rats, using a water immersion restraint (WIR) stress-induced gastric mucosal lesion model. We used crude catechin that contained 52.6% (w/w) (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and 16.7% (w/w) (-)-epicatechin gallate. The rats were randomly divided into three groups; control rats freely drank distilled water, and the remaining rats drank 0.1% (w/v) or 1% (w/v) crude catechin-containing water for 2 weeks. We measured fractional areas of hemorrhagic erosion in the gastric mucosa induced by WIR stress for 4h, compared with findings in the controls. We also employed an isolated rat stomach infusion model and measured gastrin, somatostatin, and histamine in the perfusate to endocrinologically investigate the mechanism underlying the putative protective effect of catechin.

RESULTS

Catechin had a significant protective effect against the gastric mucosal lesions induced by WIR stress. Catechin also significantly inhibited the release of gastrin, somatostatin, and histamine.

CONCLUSIONS

Catechin confers a protective effect against gastric mucosal lesions, and anti-gastric and anti-histaminergic effects may be involved in the mechanism of this effect.