Planta Medica · 2004 · 70 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesBiochemistryMolecular BiologyGene ExpressionGene RegulationMetabolic RegulationCarbohydrate MetabolismDiabetes MellitusDiabetes Mellitus BiochemistryGluconeogenesis RegulationInsulin Signaling In MetabolismPathway RegulationEnzymesGluconeogenesis InhibitionGlucose Metabolism Gene ExpressionHepatic GluconeogenesisInsulin-mediated Suppression Of GluconeogenesisPhosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase RegulationRate-limiting EnzymesTranscriptional Control Of Gluconeogenic Genes
It has recently been reported that the major green tea polyphenolic constituent, epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), mimics the cellular effects of insulin including the reductive effect on the gene expression of rate-limiting gluconeogenic enzymes in a cell culture system. We show that administration of green tea that contains EGCG caused a reduction in the level of mRNAs for gluconeogenic enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the mouse liver. EGCG alone was also found to down-regulate the gene expression of these enzymes but not so curcumin or quercetin. The results of this study support the idea that green tea intake may be beneficial in the prevention of diabetes mellitus.