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Background:The combined effects of metformin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on cortisol, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), and blood glucose levels have not been investigated.This study evaluated the effectiveness of combining EGCG with metformin in regulating those levels in a rat model of diet-induced diabetes and obesity.Methods: Thirty diabetic and obese rats on a high-fat diet were treated daily for 28 days with EGCG (100 mg/kg of body weight/day), metformin (200 mg/kg of body weight/day), or both.Control groups comprised lean rats, untreated obese diabetic rats, and metformin-only-treated rats.Blood samples were collected to measure cortisol and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and liver tissue samples were examined for 11β-HSD1 levels.Results: Rats receiving combination therapy had significantly reduced cortisol levels (from 36.70±15.13 to 31.25±7.10ng/mL) compared with the untreated obese diabetic rats but not the rats receiving monotherapy.Rats receiving combination therapy and EGCG monotherapy had significantly lower 11β-HSD1 levels compared with the untreated obese diabetic rats (92.68±10.82and 93.74±18.11ng/L vs. 120.66±14.00ng/L).Combination therapy and metformin monotherapy significantly reduced FBG levels (440.83±133.3 to 140.50±7.36mg/dL and 480.67±86.32 to 214.17±102.78mg/dL, respectively) by approximately 68.1% and 55.4% compared with rats receiving EGCG monotherapy and untreated obese diabetic rats. Conclusion:Combining EGCG with metformin exhibited synergistic effects compared with monotherapy for managing diabetes, leading to improved outcomes in reduction of baseline cortisol levels along with reduction in 11β-HSD1 and blood glucose levels.
Atsarina et al. (Mon,) studied this question.