Effect of (+)catechin on connective tissue.

The effect of (+)catechin on connective tissue was studied in organ cultures of chick embryo tibiae and after in vivo injection in rats and mice. Collagen biosynthesis and hydroxylation of 14C-Pro-labelled protocollagen in vitro by protocollagen proline hydroxylase (PPH) were inhibited. In vivo, a slight decrease in the biosynthesis of collagen and in the PPH activity in skin of rats and mice was noticed as an effect of (+)catechin. No effect of the drug was observed on the incorporation of 14C-D-glucosamine by chick embryo tibiae. Increased urinary excretion of acid mucopolysaccharide metabolites by the mice injected with (+)catechin was observed.