Effect of bitter gourd and spent turmeric on glycoconjugate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
Changes in glycoconjugate metabolism during the development of diabetic complications and their modulation by feeding bitter gourd and spent turmeric as fiber-rich source.


METHODS
This was studied by measuring the contents of total sugar, uronic acid, amino sugar, and sulfate in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


RESULTS
Total sugar content decreased in liver, spleen, and brain, while an increase was observed in heart and lungs. Uronic acid content in liver, spleen, and brain decreased, and marginal increase was observed in testis. Amino sugar content decreased in liver, spleen, lungs and heart during diabetes, and augmentation was observed to different extents. Decrease in sulfation of glycoconjugates was observed in liver, spleen, lungs and heart during diabetes and was significantly ameliorated by bitter gourd and spent turmeric, except brain. Protein content decreased in liver, while an increase was observed in brain. The studies clearly showed alteration in glycoconjugate metabolism during diabetes and amelioration to different extents by feeding bitter gourd and spent turmeric.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement is due to slow release of glucose by fiber in the gastrointestinal track and short-chain fatty acid production from fiber by colon microbes.
Vijayalakshmi
B
B
Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, India.
Kumar
G Suresh
GS
Salimath
P V
PV
D000818:Animals; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D029777:Momordica charantia / Q000737:chemistry*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000494:pharmacology
D006001:Glycoconjugates; D013311:Streptozocin