REDUCTION OF BLOOD-GLUCOSE LEVELS BY TEA CATECHIN

The influence of tea catechins on the absorption of starch or sucrose was investigated in vivo. Tea catechins were administered orally to rats before soluble starch or sucrose administration. Saccharide-dosed rats were killed and the blood and the contents of the intestine were collected at intervals over two hours. Catechins of certain concentrations suppressed the increase of plasma glucose levels, thus concurrently suppressing insulin activity. Increased activity of intestinal alpha-amylase by starch dosing was inhibited markedly in the catechin-administered rats. Sucrase on the brush border membrane was also inhibited by prior catechin administration. From these results it was assumed that orally administered catechins will inhibit intestinal alpha-amylase or sucrase, thereby deterring the digestion of certain amounts of starch or sucrose and eventually reducing the plasma glucose levels.