Effects of green tea extract treatment on erythropoiesis and iron parameters in iron-overloaded β-thalassemic mice

Abstract

β-Thalassemia is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis leading to chronic anemia. Thus, increased iron absorption from the duodenum and via blood transfusions is required to maintain normal blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels and iron chelators in the removal of excessive iron. Certain agents are also needed for the improvement of stress erythropoiesis and iron dysregulation. Green tea extract (GTE), which is rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is known to possess radical scavenging and iron-chelating activities. We aimed to assess the effects of green tea extract on erythroid regulators, iron mobilization and anti–lipid peroxidation in the liver, spleen, and kidneys of iron-loaded β-globin gene knockout thalassemic (BKO) mice. Our results indicate that treatments of green tea extract and/or deferiprone (DFP) diminished levels of plasma erythropoietin (EPO) and erythroferrone (ERFE), and consistently suppressed kidney Epo and spleen Erfe mRNA expressions (p < .05) in iron- loaded BKO mice when compared with untreated mice. Coincidently, the treatments decreased plasma ferritin (Ft) levels, iron content levels in the liver (p < .05), spleen (p < .05), and kidney tissues of iron–loaded BKO mice. Furthermore, lipid-peroxidation products in the tissues and plasma were also decreased when compared with untreated mice. This is the first evidence of the orchestral role of green tea extract abundant with epigallocatechin-3-gallate in improving ineffective erythropoiesis, iron dysregulation and oxidative stress in iron-overloaded β-thalassemic mice.

The Protection of EGCG Against 6-OHDA-Induced Oxidative Damage by Regulating PPARγ and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling

“…EGCG is also a strong iron chelator and may reduce ROS by binding free iron. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that EGCG treatment can prevent cancer, vascular diseases and neurological disorders 44 - 46 that are associated with iron dysregulation. In our previous study, EGCG decreased iron uptake and retention in N27 cells and prevented against 6-OHDA induced neurotoxicity.…”

“…This is inconsistent with the results of other studies showing that EGCG acted as a promoter of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by activating Nrf2 and HO-1 exression. 44 , 46 , 47 One reason for this may be that 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response could further activate the protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and PPARγ, whereas EGCG treatment restored the cells to a level of low oxidative stress and inflammation. Another reason for the discrepancy of our results might be related to the difference of cell types.…”

Deferiprone–resveratrol hybrid attenuates iron accumulation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defenses in iron-loaded human Huh7 hepatic cells

“…Finally, the A-value of the colored product was measured at 595 nm against the reagent blank by spectrophotometry. A standard BSA solution (0–500 μg/mL) was used to make a standard graph for the determination of the membrane protein concentration ( Settakorn et al, 2022 ).…”

Iron chelators: as therapeutic agents in diseases

“…Their studies showed these two mushrooms have great power in chelating iron. Various studies have shown that flavonoid compounds like catechin, quercetin, and naringin can chelate iron ions in iron-overloaded rats 20 – 22 . Natural chelators and their metabolites are good antioxidants due to their lower toxicity and greater stability than synthetic chelators 23 .…”