Black tea polyphenols target matrix metalloproteinases, RECK, proangiogenic molecules and histone deacetylase in a rat hepatocarcinogenesis model

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive effects of black tea polyphenols (Polyphenon-B) on markers of invasion and angiogenesis during dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The rats in groups 1 and 2 were given 0.06% DAB in the diet for 3 months followed by the normal diet. The rats in group 2 received in addition 0.05% Polyphenon-B in the basal diet. The group 3 animals were given 0.05% Polyphenon-B alone in the basal diet. The group 4 animals served as the control. Results: The dietary administration of DAB induced well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) that showed increased expression of the markers of invasion, angiogenesis and epigenetic histone deacetylation compared with the controls. The administration of Polyphenon-B significantly reduced the incidence of DAB-induced hepatomas as evidenced by modulation of the markers of invasion (matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, TIMP-2, and reversion-inducing cysteine rich protein with Kazal motifs RECK) and angiogenesis (hypoxia inducible factor 1α, HIF1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, and VEGF receptor, VEGFR1) as well as the expression of histone deacetylase HDAC-1. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide evidence that Polyphenon-B has potential as a chemopreventive agent.