cardiometabolic health

# EGCG and Neurovascular Health in Glaucoma and Aging **Green tea cultures** have long prized their tea’s catechins—particularly **epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)**—for promoting health. Modern research suggests EGCG’s potent **antioxidant**, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects might benefit the **neurovascular system** in glaucoma and aging. In glaucoma, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) degenerate under stress, and intraocular pressure (IOP) rises due to trabecular meshwork (TM) dysfunction. We review animal and cell studies of EGCG on RGC survival, TM extracellular matrix (MMPs) and blood flow, then summarize limited human data on vision and ocular structure. We connect these to EGCG’s known effects on cardiovascular and cognitive aging, and discuss its **bioavailability**, caffeine content, and safety. ## Retinal Ganglion Cell Protection (Preclinical) Preclinical studies consistently show EGCG helps **RGC survival** after injury or elevated IOP. In a mouse glaucoma model (microbead-induced high IOP), oral EGCG (50 mg/kg·d) preserved RGC density: treated mice had significantly more fluorogold-labeled RGCs versus untreated controls ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26050640/#:~:text=the%20fluorogold,in%20a%20mouse%20model%20of)). In rats with acute IOP elevation, EGCG treatment markedly reduced optic nerve damage and inflammatory cytokines. For example, in one study EGCG lowered IL-6, TNF-α and other inflammatory signals, and inhibited NF-κB activation, thereby **attenuating glaucoma symptoms** and RGC injury ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8438659/#:~:text=cytokines%20were%20present%20in%20the,in%20a%20rat%20glaucoma%20model)). These neuroprotective effects likely derive from EGCG’s ability to quench free radicals and block stress pathways (e.g. activating Nrf2/HO-1 in ischemia models ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7279438/#:~:text=Retinal%20ischemia,correlation%20with%20the%20pathway%20of))). In cell culture, EGCG blocked oxidative and ultraviolet stress in RGC lines. Thus, multiple lines of evidence indicate that EGCG can mitigate RGC degeneration in animal glaucoma or optic nerve injury models (often via anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26050640/#:~:text=the%20fluorogold,in%20a%20mouse%20model%20of)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8438659/#:~:text=cytokines%20were%20present%20in%20the,in%20a%20rat%20glaucoma%20model)). ## Trabecular Meshwork and Aqueous Outflow **MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases)** regulate the extracellular matrix of the TM and thus aqueous outflow and IOP. Adequate MMP activity “elevates aqueous outflow, reducing IOP,” whereas reduced MMPs increase outflow resistance ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9599265/#:~:text=metalloproteinase%20,63%2C65%2C71%2C72%2C73)). EGCG and other catechin

Green Tea Catechins (EGCG) for Neurovascular Health in Glaucoma and Aging

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