Comparing Effects of Native and Nanoencapsualted Epigallocatechin Gallate on Liver Fat Content in LDL Receptor Null Mice

Objectives: We successfully synthesize epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) nanocarriers (E-nano), which have anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. But their effects on liver fat, primarily triglyceride, content have not been known yet. Therefore, we compared the effects of native EGCG and different types of E-nano on liver fat content in LDL receptor null (LDLr-/-) mice. Methods: Mice were fed an atherogenic diet and received weekly intravenous injection of the following 6 treatments for 20 weeks: saline, high dose (25 mg/kg body weight) of EGCG (EGCG-H), E-nano (E-nano-H), macrophage-targeting E-nano (TE-nano-H), and low dose (10 mg/kg body weight) of E-nano (E-nano-L), macrophage-targeting E-nano (TE-nano-L). Liver lipids were extracted by a chloroform/methanol mixture. Liver triglyceride content was measured using an enzymatic method. Liver fat content was determined using an EchoMRI scanning method. Results: Compared to other treatments, native EGCG significantly decreased liver fat conten...