The prevention of obesity in high fat‐fed mice by decaffeinated green tea extract and voluntary exercise

Obesity is a risk factor for many metabolic disturbances. Regular, moderate exercise is a commonly prescribed approach for weight loss in humans. Green tea has also been shown to have obesity preventive effects in laboratory studies. We hypothesized the combination of decaffeinated green tea extract (GTE) and voluntary exercise may have greater effects on body weight. To test this hypothesis, male C57BL/6J mice were randomized to one of the following treatments for 16 weeks: low fat (LF) diet (10% kcal from fat), high fat (HF) diet (60% kcal from fat). HF diet + GTE (0.77%), HF diet + access to voluntary exercise (EX), and HF diet + GTE + EX. Both HF+GTE and HF+EX groups weighed less than the HF mice (44.7 g, 43.4 g, and 49.3 g respectively). However, the effect was the greatest in mice on the HF+GTE+EX group (36.0 g). In addition, the combination treatment with GTE and EX reduced fasting blood glucose (14.8 %), plasma insulin (64.8%), and insulin resistance (67.1%) compared to HF mice. The combination treatment also decreased the levels of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) (55.4%) compared to HF mice. Treatments with GTE and exercise alone were less effective. We conclude that the combination of GTE and voluntary exercise is an effective means of preventing diet‐induced obesity, insulin dysregulation and reducing hyperglycemia. Analysis of potential mechanisms of action is ongoing. Supported by NIH Grant AT004678