ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at investigating the biochemical basis of dietary management of diabetes mellitus using unripe plantain in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The effects of unripe plantain incorporated feeds on the regulation of glucose transport protein 1 (GLUT 1), glucose transport protein 4 (GLUT 4) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activities as well as body weights, glycated hemoglobin, total protein, lipoprotein lipase, intestinal amylase and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were determined using appropriate biochemical methods. Twenty five (25) male albino wistar rats were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each. Group 1 (non-diabetic), group 2 (diabetic, not treated) and group 3 (diabetic, treated with glibenclamide 5mg/kg body weight) all received standard rat feed. Group 4 (diabetic, fed unripe plantain incorporated feed 600mg/kg body weight) and group 5 (diabetic, fed unripe plantain incorporated feed 800mg/kg body weight). The experiment lasted for 28days. The fasting blood glucose levels and body weights were measured weekly, whereas all other biochemical parameters were measured at the end of the experiment. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the body weights of rats in groups 3 and 5 when compared to group 1 rats, whereas groups 4 and 2 rats showed significant (P<0.05) increase and decrease respectively. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in FBG levels of groups 3, 4 and 5 rats when compared to group 1 rats, however, group 2 rats showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in FBG levels. Groups 2, 3 and 4 rats showed significant (P<0.05) increase in glycated hemoglobin levels whereas group 4 rats showed a non significant (P>0.05) increase when compared to rats in group 1. All the other groups showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in total protein when compared to group 1 rats. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in lipoprotein lipase activity of groups 3, 4 and 5 rats while rats of group 2 showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease when compared to group 1 rats. Groups 3, 4 and 5 rats showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in GLUT 4 levels whereas group 2 rats showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease when compared to group 1 rats. Rats in group 4 and group 5 showed a non significant (P>0.05) difference whereas rats in group 2 and group 3 showed a significant decrease in GLUT 1 levels when compared to group 1 rats. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in AMPK levels of all the groups. The results obtained show that unripe plantain possesses anti-diabetic properties and may be effective as a dietary management option for diabetics.