Israa makki alwaan1 Kadhim aabar sharhan2

1 Babil Health Directorate,Al-Kartiyaprimary Health Center Babil, Iraq
2 Public Health Laboratory, Maysan Health Directorate, Maysan, Iraq

Abstract

Background:
Managing postprandial hyperglycemia is an important target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
(t2dm). One strategy is to reduce the activity of enzymes responsible for carbohydrate digestion, such as
α-amylase and α-glucosidase. In recent years, natural polyphenols like catechin and epicatechin have been
studied for their potential metabolic effects. Experimental data suggest potential impacts on glucose
metabolism and insulin sensitivity; however, evidence from integrated human models is limited and needs
further clarification.
Objective:
this study examined the effects of catechin and epicatechin supplementation on digestive enzyme activity
and glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, using response surface methodology to analyze
metabolic interactions.
Methods:
in a central composite design study, 192 participants (diabetic and healthy) received 200 mg/day of
catechins (100 mg catechin and 100 mg epicatechin twice daily) for 45 days. Fasting serum samples were
analyzed for α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase activities, as well as glucose and insulin levels.
Serum underwent dialysis and sequential molecular weight filtration before rp-hplc separation on a c18
column. Enzyme activity was determined spectrophotometrically, and insulin concentrations by elisa. A
desirability function, based on the geometric mean of individual outcomes, summarized the overall
metabolic response. Anova and goodness-of-fit indicators assessed model performance.
Results:
after supplementation, the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase were significantly
reduced (p < 0.005). These enzymatic changes were accompanied by lower serum glucose values and an
increase in circulating insulin levels. The statistical model demonstrated high explanatory power (r² =
95.66%; adjusted r² = 95.29%) without significant lack-of-fit. Age and bmi were found to play a role in
response magnitude. The improvement was more pronounced in younger participants and in those with
lower bmi. Interestingly, nearly half (45%) of diabetic subjects receiving supplementation exhibited
response patterns comparable to those of healthy individuals according to the integrated index.
Conclusion:
the results suggest that daily catechin and epicatechin (200 mg/day) intake may assist with better glycemic
regulation, as evidenced through possibly partial inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and
modulation of insulin dynamics. Such variation of response between age and bmi categories indicates that
patient characteristics should be taken into account when assessing flavonoids in clinical interventions.
More longitudinal and larger studies are required to verify these observations.

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