Effects of broccoli on the nutritional status of diabetic rates

Abstract EN

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of broccoli on the nutritional status of diabetic rats.

Background: Broccoli is a plant in the cabbage family, whose large flower head is used as a vegetable.

Broccoli is a source of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids and glucosinolates, which possess antioxidant and anticancer effects these compounds are used in the treatment of human diseases.

They can quench free radicals, act as antiproliferative agents, promote detoxifying enzymes, induce differentiation of cancer cells, stimulate the immune system and inhibit tumor blood vessel formation.

Also, the bioactive compound in broccoli sprouts was used for treatment diabetes .Therefore, the present study designed to assess the effect of broccoli on the nutritional status of diabetic rats.

Objectives: the aim of this study was conducted to investigate the effect of broccoli on the nutritional status of diabetic rats through assessment of level of serum glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and some liver and kidney functions.

Materials and Methods: Broccoli was washed and sliced into small pieces and oven-dried at 50°C.

Dried plants were crushed and bolted to get smooth powder.

Diabetic rats groups were induced by injection of sterptozotocin (STZ) and they were fed on basal diet containing 2.5 and 5% Broccoli and the remaining groups were positive and negative control.

After that the effect of the diet on the nutritional status, serum glucose, insulin, lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C and VLDL-C), liver (ALT and AST) and kidney (creatinine, urea and uric acid) functions in the serum of rats were assessed.

Also, histopathological changes were evaluated Results: It was found that broccoli has no significant differences toward body weight and food efficiency ratio of the all groups when compared with positive Control.

Broccoli reduced the serum glucose level in the all groups.

The group of 5% broccoli showed the best response .Also, this group showed the most improvement in serum total cholesterol level.

All groups have a reduction in serum triglycerides levels in this experiment.

The group of 5% broccoli showed the best response.

The mean values of serum LDL-C level decreased in the all groups, and all groups have a reduction in serum (VLDL-C) levels in this experiment, and it was observed that the group of 5% broccoli showed the best response.

Broccoli increased (HDL-C) level in blood serum of rats in all groups, and high levels showed best responses.

In kidney functions, broccoli had no effect on uric acid level and enhanced urea and creatinine levels.

Also, they decreased the liver enzymes (AST and ALT).

Conclusion: The present study concluded that broccoli have no effect on nutritional status but could enhance glucose levels, lipid profile, kidney and liver functions in blood serum of rats in the all groups.

The most of best results showed in the high levels broccoli (5%).

Keywords: Broccoli, diabetes, lipid profiles, Blood glucose level, Insulin level, kidney and liver functions.