Epigallocatechin gallate improves insulin sensitivity in rats experiencing catch-up growth after being small for gestational age by upregulating PDX1 expression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increasingly small for gestational age (SGA) newborns is an issue all over the world. In the early life of SGA, catch-up growth (CUG) may appear with elevated insulin resistance risk. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) preserves therapeutic potential in metabolic disorders, however, the mechanism of EGCG's protective effects remains largely unclear. Our purpose is to investigate EGCG on insulin sensitivity during CUG in rats recovered from being SGA and to explore the potential underlying mechanism.

Methods

We established a food restriction-based SGA rat model and selected CUG rats for EGCG treatment. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique was used to measure glucose and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we assessed the apoptosis of islet pancreatic cells throug

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12597189 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature