The effect of soybean oil on glycaemic control in Goto-kakizaki rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes.
Several studies in humans and laboratory animals with type 2 diabetes indicate that antioxidant supplements lessen the impact of oxidative damage caused by dysregulation of glucose metabolism. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of soybean oil on glycaemic control and lipid metabolism in Goto-kakizaki (GK) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. Rats were divided into three groups, a control group of non-diabetic (Wistar) rats, a group of diabetic GK rats and a group of GK rats treated with soybean oil. Plasma samples from the different groups were analysed for total alpha-tocopherol, coenzyme Q and glucose levels. Glycated haemoglobin was also compared between the different groups. Fasting and non-fasting blood glucose levels were significantly decreased in soybean oil group compared with GK group. There was also a 14 % reduction in the levels of HbA(1c) in SO-treated GK when compared with the diabetic control group. Diabetes induced a decrease in coenzyme Q plasma levels that prevailed after treatment with soybean oil. Moreover, the plasma alpha-tocopherol levels were higher after treatment with soybean oil.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggest that soybean oil treatment may be beneficial in type 2 diabetes. Since soybean oil has very high amounts of coenzyme Q and other antioxidants one possible mechanism of action could be as an antioxidant.
Sena
Cristina M
CM
Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo 3 Sub-unidade 1, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal. csena@ci.uc.pt
Proença
Teresa
T
Nunes
Elsa
E
Santos
Maria S
MS
Seiça
Raquel M
RM
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013024:Soybean Oil; D014451:Ubiquinone; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol