Forskning

January 30, 2013

Effects of chronic caffeine administration on blood glucose levels and on glucose tolerance in healthy and diabetic rats

Z Urzua et al, 2012, Effects of chronic caffeine administration on blood glucose levels and on glucose tolerance in healthy and diabetic rats, The Journal of International Medical Research, Volume 40.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of chronic caffeine use on risk reduction and prognosis of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In this 60-day study, five groups of 11 healthy male Wistar rats were selected to receive one of four doses (37.5, 56.2, 75.0 or 93.0 mg/kg per day) of caffeine orally or no caffeine (control). The effect of caffeine on glycaemia and glucose tolerance was evaluated. After 15 days, each group was treated with 60 mg/kg of streptozotocine to induce diabetes mellitus, and glycaemia and glucose tolerance were assessed for a further 45 days. RESULTS: In non diabetic rats, caffeine had no effect on blood glucose. Compared with controls, the fasting blood glucose levels declined significantly in two caffeine-treated groups (93.0 mg/kg per day and 56.2 mg/kg per day) during the first 15 days following diabetes induction. Glucose tolerance was significantly improved 120 min after glucose loading in all caffeine treated groups. The mean ± SE half maximal effective concentration of caffeine was 35.79 ± 2.44 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Blood glucose levels decreased, and glucose tolerance improved, in diabetic rats administered increasing doses of caffeine.