Effects of Dietary Modification on Plasma Glucose and Insulin Sensitivity in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Effects of Dietary Modification on Plasma Glucose and Insulin Sensitivity in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

There is substantial evidence that insulin sensitivity can be enhanced through appropriate dietary management . In this study, insulin sensitivity was evaluated using and insulin suppression test. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, were caused to be in a diabetic condition by the injection of streptozotocin, and divided into four groups. They were fed one of the following diets for 2 weeks : (group 1) a high-carbohydrate(CHO) low-fat low-fiber diet, (group 2) a high CHO low-fat and high-fiber diet, (group 3) a low-CHO high-fat and low-fiber diet, and (group 4) a low-CHO low-fat diet groups (as comparison between group 1 and group 2 shows). In the low-CHO high-fat diet groups, dietary fiber tended to decrease plasma glucose levels at the end of the experiment, but not significantly (as comparison between group 3 and group 4 shows). The average steady state plasma glucose level in rats on the group 3 diet was the highest among all four groups(p<0.05), indicating the poorest insulin sensitivity . However, high fiber increased insulin sensitivity in rats on the low-CHO high-fat diets(as shows by a comparison between group 3 and group 4). On the other hand , the high-CHO low-fat enhanced insulin sensitivity in rats on the low fiber diet(group 1 and group 3). The degree of enhancement of insulin sensitivity depends on the combination of CHO, fat , and fiber in the diet. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a low-CHO high-fat low -fiber diet may be deleterious to diabetic rats. In view of insulin sensitivity enhancement , dietary fiber level is irrelevant, as long as the diet has a high-CHO and low-fat level.