Black tea extract ameliorates pancreatic dysfunction in male Wistar rats exposed to cadmium chloride.

Introduction: Cadmium is one of the most dangerous and toxic occupational heavy metal. Exposure of cadmium is one of the risk factor for diabetes. This study aimed to assess the simultaneous effects of Black Tea Extract (BTE) on cadmium chloride induced alterations in oral glucose tolerance. Methods: In this study, BTE on cadmium chloride induced alterations in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and pancreas histology were assessed. Adult rats were divided into four groups (n=6/group), group I (normal saline), group II (CdCl2, 1.0 mg/kg body weight; intraperitoneal), group III (black tea extract, 2.5 gm tea leaf/dl of water that is 2.5% of aqueous BTE) and group IV (cadmium chloride + BTE). Results: The study revealed cadmium chloride intoxicated rats showed significant impaired glucose tolerance and changes in normal architecture of pancreas compare to control group. Oral administration of black tea extracts with cadmium chloride significantly improved glucose tolerance and pancreas architecture as compared to the cadmium chloride group. Conclusion: The results indicate that BTE is beneficial in preventing cadmium-induced impaired glucose tolerance with pancreatic cellular damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]