Effects of Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) On Proteolipid Protein (PLP) and Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 1 (Olig1) Expression in the Cerebral Cortex of Cuprizone Induced Multiple Sclerosis Mice; A Western Blot Study

Background: The cuprizone multiple sclerosis (MS) animal model ischaracteristic for toxic demyelination and represents a reversible demyelinationand remyelination system. It has been shown that green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) might be effective in improving the symptoms and pathologicalconditions associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases in several animalmodels.Objectives: In this study the effects of EGCG on proteolipid protein (PLP) andoligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 (Olig1) expression in the cerebral cortexof murine model of cuprizone-induced demyelination was investigated.Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated by cuprizone for sixweeks in order to induce demyelination. Immediately after the cessation ofcuprizone the animals were divided into 6 groups (n=10 for each groups). Thefirst two groups was injected intraperitoneally (IP) by EGCG in the amount of50 mg/kg /daily body weight for 2 and 4 weeks. The second two groups(SHAM) was injected IP by phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 2 and 4 weeksand the third two groups was left without injection as controls. After two andfour weeks the mice were killed and the cerebral cortex was collected and theexpression of PLP and Olig1 was studied by Western blotting.Results:The results showed that there is a significant increases in PLP andOlig1 expression among the EGCG treated group as compared to the SHAMand control groups (p<0.0001).Conclusion: It is concluded that EGCG increases PLP and Olig1 expression inthe cerebral cortex of mouse model of MS induced by cuprizone.

Keywords:

Cuprizone , Multiple Sclerosis , Encephalomyelitis , Autoimmune , Experimental , Epigallocatechin-3-gallate , Myelin Proteolipid Protein , Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor