Effects of dietary catechins on glucose tolerance, blood pressure and oxidative status in Goto-Kakizaki rats.

Effects of green tea catechins comprising EGCg, EGC, ECg, EC, GCg, GC, Cg, and C were determined on blood glucose tolerance and oxidative stress status in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. GK rats fed the catechin-containing diet tended to maintain blood glucose and systolic blood pressure at lower levels in the latter stages of the feeding period of 76 d, compared to those not receiving dietary catechins (control group). The blood glucose tolerance test performed on days 48-49 showed that GK rats fed the catechins had lower blood glucose levels than GK rats not fed catechins during the 120 min after glucose loading. In catechin-fed rats, amounts of 8-OH dG and albumin excreted into the urine determined on days 71-72, and kidney ACE activity determined on day 76, were lower than those in control rats. From these results it is concluded that dietary catechins may be effective in delaying the progression of diabetes and the associated oxidative stress.