AIM:To observe the influence of tea polyphenols(TP)on the Caveolin-1(CAV-1) expression in ultraviolet(UV)-induced lens epithelial cells of rats.METHODS:The experimental cataract model was established,and the untreated group,ultraviolet radiation group and experimental group(ultraviolet radiation + TP group) were set.The experimental group by tea polyphenols concentration was divided into four subgroups,namely 0.02,0.2,2 and 20mg/L group respectively,with sampling 6,12,24,48 hours after culture respectively.The expressions of CAV-1 were detected by the S-P immunohistochemical method and Western blot method in lens epithelial cells.RESULTS:The differences of Caveolin-1 expression for the experimental group and control group compared to the UV group were statistically significant(P<0.05).At different times,the lens epithelial cells positive expression for the experimental group was significantly higher than the UV group,the degree of lens opacity for the experimental group was significantly lower than the UV group.When TP was 0.02mg/L,the difference of Caveolin-1 expression between the experimental group and the control group was not statistically significant(P>0.05);the difference between the rest of the experimental group and the control group was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Tea polyphenols can inhibit the expression of Caveolin-1 decreased in UV-induced lens epithelial cells.When tea polyphenols concentration is 0.02mg/L,the effect is the best.