RESUMO
To examine the effect of green tea extract on body weight, serum levels of glucose, and lipids in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This experimental study was carried out in the Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran from January 2011 to March 2011. Forty-eight male wistar rats[200-250g] were divided randomly into 6 groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of stereptozotocin [55 mg/kg]. The experimental groups received alcohol extract of green tea leaves [100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg] for 4 weeks and the body weight of animals were measured every day. Finally, blood samples were collected and analyzed for glucose and lipid profile levels. Administration of green tea extract caused a significant decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol levels and significantly improved the body weight loss in diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg green tea in comparison to diabetic control group. No significant changes were observed in triglyceride [p=0.04], low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol [p=0.000], and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels [p=0.01] following intervention. It appears that green tea extract had both antihyperglycemic and hypocholesterolmic effects in diabetic rats, although further work is needed to determine their mechanism