Anti-diabetic Effects of Adlay Protein in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice

We examined the effects of adlay protein concentrates (AP) on lipid metabolism and on in vivo oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Mice were fed an AIN-93G diet containing either adlay grains (AG) or AP for 21 days. Plasma parameters, such as total cholesterol, arteriosclerotic index and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in the diabetic AP-fed group were lower than those in the diabetic control (AIN-93G) group. Concentrations of hepatic parameters, such as total cholesterol, triglyceride and TBARS levels, in the AP-fed group were lower than those in the diabetic control group. A pronounced improvement in lipid metabolism of the AP-fed group was observed when compared with the AG-fed group. It was deduced that excretion of bile acids and cholesterol in the feces of mice fed the AP diet abundant in resistant protein contributed to the suppression of plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentration in diabetic mice.