Abstract
Diabetes is characterized by a high mortality rate which is often associated with heart failure. Green tea and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are known to lessen some of the harmful impacts of diabetes and to exert cardio-protection. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of EPA, green tea extract (GTE), and a combination of both on the cardiac consequences of diabetes mellitus, induced in Wistar rats by injection of a low dose of streptozotocin (33 mg/kg) combined with a high fat diet. Cardiac mechanical function, coronary reactivity, and parameters of oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy metabolism were evaluated. In the context of diabetes, GTE alone limited several diabetes-related symptoms such as inflammation. It also slightly improved coronary reactivity and considerably enhanced lipid metabolism. EPA alone caused the rapid death of the animals, but this effect was negated by the addition of GTE in the diet. EPA and GTE combined enhanced coronary reactivity considerably more than GTE alone. In a context of significant oxidative stress such as during diabetes mellitus, EPA enrichment constitutes a risk factor for animal survival. It is essential to associate it with the antioxidants contained in GTE in order to decrease mortality rate and preserve cardiac function.
Highlights
Diabetes is one of the major causes of death in humans, accounting for one death every six seconds worldwide according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
The purpose of this study was: (i) to determine the impact of diabetes induced by STZ injection and a high-fat diet (HFD) on cardiac activity and mitochondrial function in rats; (ii) to evaluate the effects of enrichments with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), green tea extract (GTE), and a combination of both on the cardiac consequences of the diabetes triggered in this study; and (iii) to analyze the mechanisms involved in the observed effects
The glycemia was kept at a high level in the diabetic groups, and the insulinemia remained low until the end of the protocol
Summary
Diabetes is one of the major causes of death in humans, accounting for one death every six seconds worldwide according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The eighth IDF Diabetes Atlas suggests that 425 million people, or one in 11 adults, have diabetes mellitus. This number is predicted to rise to almost 700 million by 2045 (“IDF Diabetes Atlas - 2017” n.d.) [1]. There are different kinds of diabetes of which diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent. It exists in two major forms: Type I diabetes, characterized by insulin deficiency, and type II, associated with insulin pathway dysfunction
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call