MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDE-KETOGENIC DIET ALLEVIATE INSULIN RESISTANCE IN TYPE II DIABETIC MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Type II diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance is associated with increasing prevalence because of its associated-disabling complications. Ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carbohydrate diet, reported to have plethora of therapeutic potential that is essential in managing metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes mellitus, and their complications. This study evaluated the effects of medium chain triglyceride-ketogenic diet (MCT-KD) on the lungs of type II diabetic male New Zealand rabbits. Type II diabetes was induced by feeding the rabbits formulated high fat diet for ten (10) weeks. Twenty rabbits were divided into five groups of four rabbits each: Group I was a normoglycemic group fed with normal diet; Group II was a normoglycemic group fed with a MCT-KD; Group III was a diabetic group fed with normal diet; Group IV was a diabetic group fed with ketogenic diet while Group V was a diabetic group fed with normal diet and oral administration of 4 mg/kg pioglitazone. All feeding and drug administrations were done daily for a period of four weeks. At the end of the feeding, the animals were sacrificed, serum were collected and homogenate of the lungs were prepared for biochemical assessments. The data collected were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and paired sample t-test. The results obtained showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) fasting blood glucose concentration, decreased insulin and insulin sensitivity with increased insulin resistance in the diabetic animals which were reversed after feeding with ketogenic diet for four weeks and administration of 4 mg/kg pioglitazone. There was a significant increase (p <0.05) in the concentration of serum ketone bodies in the diabetic rabbits which was reduced by feeding with ketogenic diet, however, it was significantly higher than that of the normoglycemic group fed with normal diet feed. Ketogenic diet can be said to have both antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect.