Effect of white tea intake (Camellia sinensis (L.) kuntze) on the gene expression of VEGF in the corpus luteum of superovulated rats

Tea is an extremely popular drink, being the second most commonly consumed in the world. People ingest teas on average two to three times a day, the majority being derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. The beneficial health effects of the consumption of tea from this plant are well known, such as the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Despite this, little is known about the action of white tea on reproduction. It is important to evaluate the possible consequences of consumption of catechin main in the luteal development. The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) present in the tea, influences the expression of VEGF gene in tumors and is an important angiogenic factor in the reproductive organs. This study aimed to verify the effects of prolonged intake of white tea on the relative abundance of VEGF mRNA in superovulated rats. For this purpose, the rats were divided into two groups, control group (n = 30), which received water, and white tea intake group (n = 30). The ovaries of 10 animals in each group at the end of each month (three months) were dissected and the corpora lutea(CLs) stored in Trizol at -80°C. The CLs were subjected to RNA extraction protocol for Trizol (Invitrogen) and the relative abundance of VEGF mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR as the endogenous controls: beta-actin, GAPDH , HPRT1 and RPS18. The data were evaluated for the assumption of normality (Shapiro-Wilk) and the statistical comparisons were performed using the unpaired t test between groups and at at different collection moments (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of VEGF mRNA was changed by white tea consumption in all analyzed periods: 30 days (CT= 0.99 ± 0.31 , CB= 2.29 ± 0.35) ; 60 days (CT=0.83 ± 0.32 , CB= 1.74 ± 0.73) ; 90 days ( CT= 1.02 ± 0.26 , CB= 2.24 ± 0.91), as in the total period of 3 months: CT= 0.95 ± 0.30 and CB= 2.13 ± 0.75. We conclude that prolonged intake of white tea alters VEGF expression in the corpus luteum of Wistar rats.