Abstract:Aim To explore the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the inflammation of vascular endothelium in hyperuricemia rats. Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were divided into normal control group, model control group, EGCG low dose (EGCG-L) group, EGCG medium dose (EGCG-M) group, EGCG high dose (EGCG-H) group and allopurinol group. After five weeks, the expression of MCP-1, TNF-α, ICAM-1, ET-1 and eNOS in hyperuricemia rats were detected by RT-PCR, serum uric acid, creatinine, urea nitrogen and xanthine oxidase (XO) were determined. Results Compared with normal control group, the levels of serum uric acid and XO were increased in model control group (P<0.01). Compared with model control group, the levels of serum uric acid and XO were significantly decreased in EGCG-L group, EGCG-M group, EGCG-H group and allopurinol group (P<0.01). Compred with normal control group, the mRNA expression of MCP-1, TNF-α and ICAM-1 was markedly increased in model control group (P<0.01). The expression of MCP-1 mRNA in EGCG-H group and allopurinol group was markedly decreased as compared with model control group (P<0.05). Compared with model control group, the expression of TNF-α, ICAM-1 mRNA was significantly decreased in EGCG-L group, EGCG-M group, EGCG-H group and allopurinol group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of ET-1 in EGCG-M group was also decreased significantly (P<0.01). Conclusion EGCG attenuated serum uric acid and the inflammation of vascular endothelium in hyperuricemia rats.