Improvement of Lipid Profile by Amaranth <i>(Amaranthus esculantus)</i> Supplementation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background/Aims: Lipid disorders may exacerbate some complications of diabetes. Amaranth has been reported to exhibit a cholesterol-lowering effect in hyperlipidemic animals. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of amaranth on serum glucose and the lipid profile in diabetic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to normal control, diabetic control, diabetic amaranth-grain (AG)-supplemented (500 g/kg diet) and diabetic amaranth-oil (AO)-supplemented (90 g/kg diet) groups and fed experimental diets for 3 weeks. Effects were monitored on glucose tolerance, serum and liver lipids, and fecal excretions of lipids and bile acids. Results: Fasting serum glucose levels and the glucose tolerance of diabetic rats were improved by AG and AO supplementation. Serum and liver lipids such as total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were also lowered in diabetic animals by AG and AO consumption. Fecal excretions of cholesterol, TG and bile acid were markedly reduced in diabetic rats, and these parameters were dramatically increased by AG and AO supplementation. Conclusion: AG and AO supplementation improve the glucose and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

State of Knowledge on Amaranth Grain: A Comprehensive Review

“…Conforti and others (2005) detected antidiabetic activity in 2 varieties of A. caudatus seeds using an in vitro assay consisting of the inhibition of α‐amylase, which acts in the digestion of starch and reduces the absorption of glucose. Using streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats, Kim and others (2006a,b) investigated the effect of amaranth oil and grain supplementation ( A. esculentus L.) on blood glucose and the lipid profile. The rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic group supplemented with amaranth grain, and diabetic group supplemented with amaranth oil for 3 wk.…”

“…Besides the effects cited on the blood glucose levels, the work of Kim and other (2006a,b) also reported that feeding rats with either the whole grain or its oil resulted in an improvement (decrease) in the animals’ AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) enzymes, which are liver function markers. Moreover, there was a reduction in TBARS levels (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress indexes) in the liver cytosol.…”

Amaranth Protein Improves Lipid Profile and Insulin Resistance in a Diet-induced Obese Mice Model

“…A few reports have also indicated that amaranth contains peptides with inhibitory capacity against Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPPIV), an incretin-degrading enzyme [11] and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE), a vasoconstriction-related enzyme [12]. Additionally, peptides with lipid-lowering [13] and antidiabetic activity have been reported [14]. However, the effect of the amaranth at a level of gene expression in adipose tissue has not been studied.…”

Amaranth: A Pseudo-Cereal with Nutraceutical Properties

“…Supplementation of amaranth grain and oil failed to prevent weight loss but, significantly decreased the serum glucose, increased serum insulin levels, and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation) [43]. The effect of amaranth on diabetic hyperlipidemia could be through its control of hyperglycemia [44]. Total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in liver and serum, and VLDL serum levels were significantly higher in STZdiabetic rats than normal control animals, supplementation of amaranth oil and grain suppressed the increase in these parameters in diabetic rats [44].…”