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Physiological Response to Diets Fortified with Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers (Helianthus tuberosus L.) Powder by Diabetic Rats

2009; Volume: 5; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

1990-4053

Eid A. Zaky,

Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies

The present study aimed at evaluating the biological, biochemical and histopathological parameters of diabetic rats fed on Jerusalem artichoke tubers. Liver function, kidney function, total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in diabetic rats serum were estimated. The obtained results indicated that the diets fortified with Jerusalem artichoke tuber powder (JAT) at different levels (5, 10 and 15%) improved the body weight gain, feed efficiency ratio of alloxan-injected diabetic rats relative to positive control group. The liver, kidney, heart and spleen weight of rats fed on JAT at the above three mentioned levels had similar mean values and lower levels than these of the rats of the control (+) group. Also, a significant decrease occurred in serum glucose levels for all groups with different levels (5, 10 and 15%) when compared with alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A significant increases were observed in urea and uric acid. However a decrease was found in serum creatinine for rats fed on different diets relative to the diabetic rats. On the other hand diabetic rats had a higher value of ALT, AST activities and total protein than rats fed on basal diet and JAT at different levels (5, 10 and 15%). pronounced decrease occurred in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL-cholesterols with rats fed on different levels (5, 10 and 15%) of JAT compared with the positive control. However, the histopathological picture of liver, kidney and spleen indicated that addition of Jerusalem artichoke tubers to the diets of alloxan-induced diabetic rats had slight effects on the microscopic structure. Thus diet containing Jerusalem artichoke tubers would reduce serum glucose levels, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL- cholesterol in the hyperglycemic rats. Also, the obtained results indicate some improvement in liver and kidney functions as a result of these additives.