Epigallocatechin gallate improves oleic acid-induced hepatic steatosis in laying hen hepatocytes via the MAPK pathway

• Published in: Poultry science 2024-11, Vol.103 (11), p.104204, Article 104204
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yifeng, Zhao, Xiyu, Li, Xinyan, Hu, Chengfang, Zhang, Yao, Yin, Huadong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; apoptosis; bioactive compounds; Catechin - administration & dosage; Catechin - analogs & derivatives; Catechin - pharmacology; Chickens; DNA damage; EGCG; epigallocatechin gallate; fatty liver; Fatty Liver - chemically induced; Fatty Liver - drug therapy; Fatty Liver - veterinary; Female; green tea; hens; hepatic steatosis; hepatocytes; Hepatocytes - drug effects; inflammation; lipid deposition; MAP Kinase Signaling System - drug effects; mitogen-activated protein kinase; oleic acid; Oleic Acid - pharmacology; oxidative stress; p38 MAPK pathway; Poultry Diseases - chemically induced; Poultry Diseases - drug therapy; poultry health; therapeutics; viability
• ISSN: 0032-5791; 1525-3171; 1525-3171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104204

Fatty liver disease in laying hens, characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, poses significant challenges to poultry health and production efficiency. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a bioactive compound found in green tea, in mitigating oleic acid (OA)-induced hepatic steatosis in primary chicken hepatocytes. Treatment with EGCG effectively attenuated lipid deposition by downregulating lipid synthesis-related genes. Moreover, EGCG mitigated oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and apoptosis induced by OA, thereby preserving hepatocyte viability. Mechanistically, EGCG exerted its protective effects by modulating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that EGCG holds promise as a therapeutic agent for managing fatty liver disease in poultry, offering insights into novel strategies for improving poultry health and production outcomes.