(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate mitigates cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal injury by modulating the tight junctions, inflammation and dysbiosis in mice

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is an antitumor drug commonly used to treat various cancer types. Unfortunately, its toxic side effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, affect treatment compliance and patients' prognosis. Thus, there is a critical need of evaluating strategies that may improve the associated GI toxicity induced by CTX. In this work, we evaluated the capacity of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea, to improve the recovery of gut injury induced by CTX in mice. Treatment with CTX for 5 days severely damaged the intestinal structure, increased immune-related cytokines (TNF alpha, IL-10 and IL-21), reduced the expression levels of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1), induced reactive oxygen species, altered the composition of gut microbiota, and reduced short chain fatty acid levels. EGCG treatment, starting one day after the last CTX dose, significantly improved the intestinal structure, ameliorated gut permeability, and restored ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 levels. Moreover, EGCG reduced TNF alpha, IL-10 and IL-21 levels and decreased oxidative stress by regulating the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Finally, EGCG treatment restored the composition of gut microbiota and the levels of the short chain fatty acids. In conclusion, these findings indicate that EGCG may function as an effective bioactive compound to minimize CTX-induced GI tract toxicity.

Automated summary

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a widely used antitumor drug, but its toxic side effects can impact patient outcomes. This study found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea can improve the gut injury induced by CTX, including repairing intestinal structure, regulating immune cytokines, and restoring tight junction proteins.