Modulatory effects of green tea on HEK-­293 cell energy metabolism: implications in diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

The consumption of green tea is epidemiologically associated with a reduction in diabetic nephropathy; however its prophylactic effect remains unclear in an oxidative stress-­‐associated diabetic milieu. The energy metabolism of HEK-­‐293 cell, pretreated with variable concentrations of green tea, was evaluated under different hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations using the MTT assay. Green tea modulated the energy metabolism in renal cell line under different hydrogen peroxide challenge. In the absence of hydrogen peroxide, green tea at concentrations of 0.25 mg/mL and 0.50 mg/mL significantly increased the energy metabolism of HEK-­‐293 cell by 81.5 % (P < 0.01) and 56.1 % (P < 0.05), respectively. Green tea at a concentration of 3 mg/mL significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the energy metabolism in HEK-­‐293 cell by 36.6 % and 20.7 % when incubated in the presence of 200 μM and 500 μM H₂O₂, respectively. At high concentration, H₂O₂ and green tea have shown the ability in reducing the energy metabolism of HEK-­‐293 cell. Conclusively, moderate consumption of green tea could form part of a healthy lifestyle that might ameliorate features of metabolic syndrome and subsequent risks for diabetic nephropathy, an outcome that can be determined by further clinical studies.

KEY WORDS: Diabetes; Green tea and wellness; Antioxidant; Nephropathy; Metabolic syndrome