Improvement of Theaflavins on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

In diabetes mellitus, disordered glucose and lipid metabolisms precipitate diverse complications, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, contributing to a rising global mortality rate. Theaflavins (TFs) can improve disorders of glycolipid metabolism in diabetic patients and reduce various types of damage, including glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity, and other associated secondary adverse effects. TFs exert effects to lower blood glucose and lipids levels, partly by regulating digestive enzyme activities, activation of OATP-MCT pathway and increasing secretion of incretins such as GIP. By the Ca2+-CaMKK ꞵ-AMPK and PI3K-AKT pathway, TFs promote glucose utilization and inhibit endogenous glucose production. Along with the regulation of energy metabolism by AMPK-SIRT1 pathway, TFs enhance fatty acids oxidation and reduce de novo lipogenesis. As such, the administration of TFs holds significant promise for both the prevention and amelioration of diabetes mellitus.