Epigallocatechin-3-gallate alleviates bladder overactivity in a rat model with metabolic syndrome and ovarian hormone deficiency through mitochondria apoptosis pathways

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and ovarian hormone deficiency could affect bladder storage dysfunction. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic compound in green tea, has been shown to protect against ovarian hormone deficiency induced overactive bladder (OAB). The present study investigated oxidative stress induced by MetS and bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), and elucidated the mechanism underlying the protective effect of EGCG (10 umol/kg/day) on bladder overactivity. Rats were fed with high fat high sugar (HFHS) diet to induce MetS and received ovariectomy surgery to deprive ovarian hormone. By dieting with HFHS for 6 months, rats developed MetS and OAB. MetS + OVX deteriorated bladder storage dysfunction more profound than MetS alone. MetS and MetS + OVX rats showed over-expression of inflammatory and fibrosis markers (1.7~3.8-fold of control). EGCG pretreatment alleviated storage dysfunction, and protected the bladders from MetS and OVX - induced interstitial fibrosis changes. Moreover, OVX exacerbated MetS related bladder apoptosis (2.3~4.5-fold of control; 1.8~2.6-fold of Mets group), enhances oxidative stress markers (3.6~4.3-fold of control; 1.8~2.2-fold of Mets group) and mitochondrial enzyme complexes subunits (1.8~3.7-fold of control; 1.5~3.4-fold of Mets group). EGCG pretreatment alleviated bladder apoptosis, attenuated oxidative stress, and reduced the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum apoptotic signals. In conclusions, HFHS feeding and ovarian hormone deficiency enhances the generation of oxidative stress mediated through mitochondrial pathway. EGCG reduced the generation of oxidative stress and lessened bladder overactivity.