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Epigallocatechin gallate supplementation alleviates diabetes in rodents.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in industrialized countries, mainly because of bad eating habits and lack of exercise. It is estimated that by 2025 more tan 300 million people will suffer form type 2 diabetes. There is a need for natural strategies to prevent the development of diabetes. Previous studies have shown many health benefits of green tea and epigallocatechin gallate, mainly on the prevention of cancer and heart disease. The intake of green tea or green tea phytochemicals is also linked to other properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-bacterial, anti-angiogenic, antioxidative, antiviral, neuroprotective and cholesterol lowering activities. The health promoting benefits of green tea are mainly attributes its polyphenols, such as catechins. The main catechins are epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epicatechin.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the intake Teavigo by rodents on diabetes. Teavigo is a commercial purified green tea extract containing more than 94% epigallocatechin gallate and is produced by DSM Nutritional Products. The glucose and insulin tolerance was determined after rats consumed Teavigo. The influence of Teavigo on gene expression of liver cells and adipose tissue was also determined.

The researchers found that epigallocatechin gallate improved glucose tolerance, reduced the plasma levels of triacylglycerol and increased the production of insulin, following an intake of glucose. The increased production of insulin is probably caused by the protective and antioxidant effect of epigallocatechin gallate on the pancreas. There was no influence on body weight or food intake. In hepatoma cells epigallocatechin gallate downregulated genes involved in the production of fatty acids, triacylglycerol and cholesterol. Epigallocatechin gallate decreased the production of mRNA for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (enzyme that converts oxaloacetate into phosphoenolpyruvate and carbon dioxide) in the liver cells and adipose tissue. The mice liver cells produced more glucokinase, an enzyme that facilitates phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate.

The study concluded that Teavigo has a beneficial effect on glucose and lipid metabolism, and increases glucose tolerance. The supplementation of foods with epigallocatechin gallate could be a strategy for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.


Source: Wolfram S, Raederstorff D, Preller M, Wang Y, Teixeira SR, Riegger C and Weber P. Epigallocatechin gallate supplementation alleviates diabetes in rodents.. Journal of Nutrition. 2006 October;136(10):2512-8


 
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