Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates cardiopulmonary bypass–associated lung injury

Abstract Background Lung dysfunction constitutes a severe complication after major cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), substantially contributing to postoperative morbidity and mortality. The current possibilities of preventive and therapeutic interventions, however, remain insufficient. We, therefore, investigated the effects of intraoperative application of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory green tea polyphenol (–)–epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on CPB-associated lung injury. Materials and methods Thirty piglets (8–15 kg) were divided into four groups: sham-operated and saline-treated control group ( n = 7); sham-operated and EGCG-treated control group (EGCG-control group; n = 7); CPB group ( n = 10); and CPB + EGCG group ( n = 6). The CPB groups underwent 120 min of CPB followed by 90 min of recovery time. In the CPB + EGCG group, EGCG (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered intravenously before and after CPB. Hemodynamic monitoring, blood gas analysis, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry of lung tissue were performed. Results Histologic examination revealed thickening of the alveolar wall and enhanced alveolar neutrophil infiltration in the CPB group ( P