Intra-Articular Injection of (-)-Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate to Attenuate Articular Cartilage Degeneration by Enhancing Autophagy in a Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Rat Model
Hsuan-Ti Huang,
Tsung-Lin Cheng,
Cheng-Jung Ho,
Han Hsiang Huang,
Cheng-Chang Lu,
Shu-Chun Chuang,
Jhong-You Li,
Tien-Ching Lee,
Shih-Tse Chen,
Yi-Shan Lin,
Chih-Yao Lee,
Lin Kang,
Sung-Yen Lin,
Chung-Hwan Chen
Affiliations
Hsuan-Ti Huang
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Tsung-Lin Cheng
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Cheng-Jung Ho
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Han Hsiang Huang
Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan
Cheng-Chang Lu
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Shu-Chun Chuang
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Jhong-You Li
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Tien-Ching Lee
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Shih-Tse Chen
Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin Chu 30059, Taiwan
Yi-Shan Lin
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Chih-Yao Lee
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Lin Kang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
Sung-Yen Lin
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
Chung-Hwan Chen
Orthopaedic Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80701, Taiwan
(-)-Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) is the main active green tea catechin and has a wide variety of benefits for health. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) occurs as a consequence of joint injuries that commonly happen in the young population. In this study, we investigated the effects of EGCG on PTOA prevention by using the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)–OA model and further investigated the roles of autophagy in OA treatment. Our results showed that intra-articular injection of EGCG significantly improved the functional performances and decreased cartilage degradation. EGCG treatment attenuated the inflammation on synovial tissue and cartilage through less immunostained cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-13. We further noted EGCG may modulate the chondrocyte apoptosis by activation of the cytoprotective autophagy through reducing the expression of the mTOR and enhancing the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, beclin-1, and p62. In conclusion, intra-articular injection of EGCG after ACL injury inhibited the joint inflammation and cartilage degradation, thereby increasing joint function. EGCG treatment also reduced the chondrocyte apoptosis, possibly by activating autophagy. These findings suggested that EGCG may be a potential disease-modifying drug for preventing OA progression.
