Modulation of Ca2+ Signals by Epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) in Cultured Rat Hippocampal Neurons

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Jiang-Hua Wang⁴  Jin Cheng²  Cai-Rong Li¹  Mao Ye³  Zhe Ma¹ 

[1] Department of Pharmacology, Medical College, Xianning University, Xianning 437100, Hubei, China; E-Mails:;Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Xiangfan Hospital of TongJi Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Xiangfan 441021, Hubei, China; E-Mail:;Department of Osteopaedics, Center Hospital of Xianning, Xianning 437100, Hubei, China; E-Mail:;College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China; E-Mail:

关键词: EGCG;    calcium imaging;    intracellular Ca²⁺;    phopholipase C;    hippocampal neuron;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms12010742

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Green tea has been receiving considerable attention as a possible neuroprotective agent against neurodegenerative disease. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major compound of green tea. Calcium signaling has profound effects on almost all aspects of neuronal function. Using digital calcium imaging and patch-clamp technique, we determined the effects of EGCG on Ca²⁺ signals in hippocampal neurons. The results indicated that EGCG caused a dose-dependent increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i). This [Ca²⁺]_i increase was blocked by depleting intracellular Ca²⁺ stores with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid. Furthermore, EGCG-stimulated increase in [Ca²⁺]_i was abolished following treatment with a PLC inhibitor. However, EGCG inhibited high-voltage activated Ca²⁺ currents (I_HVA) and NMDA-induced inward currents (I_NMDA). These data suggest that EGCG triggers a cascade of events: it activates phospholipase C (PLC), mobilizes intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, raises the cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels, and inhibits the VGCC and NMDA receptors-mediated Ca²⁺ influx through a process that remains to be determined.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.