Feeding a Protective Hydrolysed Casein Diet to Young Diabetes-prone BB Rats Affects Oxidation of L[U-14C]glutamine in Islets and Peyer's Patches, Reduces Abnormally High Mitotic Activity in Mesenteric Lymph Nodes, Enhances Islet Insulin and Tends to Normalize NO Production
2000

Effects of a Hydrolyzed Casein Diet on Diabetes-Prone BB Rats

Sample size: 47 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): WILLY J. MALAISSE, ELIZABETH OLIVARES, AOUATIF LAGHMICH, LAURENCE LADRIIRE, ABDULLAH SENER, FRASER W. SCOTT

Primary Institution: Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Brussels Free University, Brussels, Belgium; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Hypothesis

Does feeding a hydrolyzed casein diet affect the metabolic and immune responses in diabetes-prone BB rats?

Conclusion

Feeding a hydrolyzed casein diet to diabetes-prone BB rats increases insulin levels and alters immune cell activity, potentially protecting against diabetes.

Supporting Evidence

  • BBdp rats fed the HC diet had increased plasma insulin concentration.
  • The HC diet decreased oxidation of L-[U-14C]glutamine in BBdp pancreatic islets.
  • Mitotic activity in mesenteric lymphocytes was reduced in BBdp rats fed the HC diet.
  • NO production in islets was normalized in BBdp rats fed the HC diet.
  • Changes in immune cell activity were observed in response to dietary modifications.

Takeaway

Feeding special food to rats that might get diabetes helps them produce more insulin and stay healthier.

Methodology

Diabetes-prone and control BB rats were fed either a standard diet or a hydrolyzed casein diet for 17 days, followed by measurements of plasma insulin, islet content, and immune cell activity.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in diet effects due to the specific strains of rats used.

Limitations

The study was conducted on a specific rat model, which may not fully represent human diabetes.

Participant Demographics

Male and female diabetes-prone BB rats and control non-diabetes prone BB rats.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.02

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

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