Figure 3.

EGCG suppresses LPS-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with PBS, LPS (1 mg/kg), EGCG (5 mg/kg), or LPS plus EGCG. Twenty-four hours posttreatment, rats (n = 4) in each group were sacrificed 24 h after being anesthetized. PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll-plaque and lysed with Tri Reagent. RNA was extracted and subjected to quantitative real-time RT-PCR for TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Data were expressed as mean ± SD of 4 animals in each group. ^∗ P < 0.05; ^∗∗ P < 0.01, as compared with LPS treated.