Coordinated regulation of murine cardiomyocyte contractility by nanomolar (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the major green tea catechin.

ABSTRACT: Green tea polyphenolic catechins exhibit biological activity in a wide variety of cell types. Although reports in the lay and scientific literature suggest therapeutic potential for improving cardiovascular health, the underlying molecular mechanisms of action remain unclear. Previous studies have implicated a wide range of molecular targets in cardiac muscle for the major green tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), but effects were observed only at micromolar concentrations of unclear clinical relevance. Here, we report that nanomolar concentrations of EGCG significantly enhance contractility of intact murine myocytes by increasing electrically evoked Ca(2+) transients, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content, and ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) channel open probability

SUBMITTER: Feng W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3477230 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature