Comparative effects of catechin, epicatechin and N-Ω-nitroarginine on quinolinic acid-induced oxidative stress in rat striatum slices

• Some pathologies with inflammatory processes have increased levels of quinolinic acid.
• Inflammatory process appears in severe trauma or neurodegenerative diseases.
• Treatment with antioxidant molecules from natural sources is an option to these ills.
• Epicatechin and catechin are goog options for its low toxicity and few side effects.

The aim of this work was to compare the effects of catechin (CAT), epicatechin (EPI) and N-ω-l-nitroarginine (L-NARG) on different endpoints of oxidative stress induced by quinolinic acid (QUIN) in a simple tissue preparation, rat striatal slices – with particular emphasis in the glutathione system – in order to provide revealing information on the antioxidant efficacy of these agents in an excitotoxic model.MethodsRat striatal slices were incubated for 1 h in the presence of 100 μM QUIN and/or 85 μM CAT or EPI, or 100 μM L-NARG. Lipid peroxidation (LP) and the levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) were determined.ResultsThe three agents tested completely blocked the QUIN-induced lipid peroxidation and recovered the QUIN-induced altered GSH/GSSG balance. No statistical differences were detected among the protective effects exerted by these antioxidants, suggesting similar efficacy and common antioxidant mechanisms. The antioxidant properties exhibited by these molecules on the excitotoxic model tested herein support an active role of glutathione and prompt their use as therapeutic tools in models of neurodegenerative disorders.