Senescence mediated redox imbalance in cardiac tissue: Antioxidant rejuvenating potential of green tea extract

ObjectiveThe activities and capacities of antioxidant systems of tissue cells are declined during aging, leading to the gradual loss of pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and accumulation of oxidative damage. Hence, the present study evaluated the role of green tea extract (GTE), rich in polyphenols, in combating age-associated macromolecular damage in rat cardiac tissue.MethodsThe antioxidant defense system, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and redox status in heart tissue were studied using young and aged rats.ResultsSignificant increases in lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, and marked decreases in glutathione redox status, protein thiols, and activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed in aged rats compared with young rats. Supplementation of GTE (100 mg/kg of body weight per day) orally for 30 days ameliorated these changes significantly.ConclusionThis study accredits GTE's antioxidant rejuvenating potency and its role in the amelioration of senescence-mediated redox imbalance in aged rat cardiac tissue.