Effect of the Dietary Protein Level on Plasma Glucose, Lipids and Hormones in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Atherosclerotic vascular disease is a major cause of the increased morbidity and mortality assciated with diabetes mellitus. The prominent role of nutrition in hypercholesteolemia and atherosclerosis is generally accepted. Diet is a key element in the management of diabetes (type I-IDDM), yet the appropriate diet for patient with diabetes mellitus is not well known. Dietary protein has been shown to have a significant effect on plasma cholesterol levels in both experimental animals and humans. The present experiment was designed to determine the effect of the dietary protein level(20% vs 60%) on plasma glucose concentration, lipids profile, insulin and glucagon levels from non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Results showed that a high protein diet decreased triglyceride concentration in diabetic rats. Also diabetic rats fed a high protein diet were hypocholesterolemic than rats fed a control diet. There were no effects by level of protein on fasting blood glucose concentration and insulin/glucagon ratio. Results from the present study suggest that a high protein diet may be beneficial to control pasma lipids in chemically-induced diabetic rats.

Keywords

• protein level;
• blood glucose;
• lipids;
• insulin;
• glucagon;
• streptozotocin;
• induced diabetic rats