title: Daily consumption of white tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)) improves the cerebral cortex metabolic and oxidative profile in prediabetic Wistar rats.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem and its incidence is rising dramatically. The brain, particularly the cerebral cortex, is very susceptible to glucose fluctuations and hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress. Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)) is widely consumed; however, the antidiabetic properties of white tea remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the effects of daily consumption of white tea on the cerebral cortex of prediabetic rats. The cerebral cortex metabolic profile was evaluated, and the expression levels of GLUT, phosphofructokinase-1, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and monocarboxylate transporter 4 were assessed. LDH activity was also determined. The cerebral cortex oxidative profile was determined by evaluating its antioxidant power, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels. Catalase, glutathione, glutamate, N-acetylaspartate, aspartate, choline, γ-aminobutyric acid, taurine and valine contents were determined. Daily consumption of white tea ameliorated glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Moreover, white tea altered the cortex glycolytic profile, modulating GLUT expression and lactate and alanine contents. Finally, white tea consumption restored protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation levels and catalase expression, and improved antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, daily consumption of white tea improved the cerebral cortex metabolic and oxidative profile in prediabetic rats, suggesting it as a good, safe and inexpensive strategy to prevent DM-related effects in the cerebral cortex.
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Marco G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Gonçalo D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Tomás
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Vanessa R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Conde
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cristóvão
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra and Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra,3004-517Coimbra,Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: CICS, UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique,6201-506Covilhã,Portugal.
authors.forename: Branca M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006019:Glycolysis; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013662:Tea / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013662:Tea; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Antioxidants