Dietary Management of Diabetes with Unripe Plantain (Musa paradisiaca): Its Effects on Glucose Transporters (Glut1 and Glut4) and Amp-Activated Protein Kinase Activities in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was aimed at investigating the biochemical basis of dietary management of diabetes mellitus using unripe plantain in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The effects of unripe plantain incorporated feeds on the regulation of glucose transport protein 1 (GLUT 1), glucose transport protein 4 (GLUT 4) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activities was studied using acceptable chemical and biochemical methods. Twenty-five (25) male albino Wistar rats were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each. Group 1 (non-diabetic/normal control), group 2 (diabetic, not treated) and group 3 (diabetic, treated with glibenclamide 5mg/kg body weight) all received standard rat feed. Group 4 (diabetic, fed unripe plantain incorporated feed 600mg/kg body weight) and group 5 (diabetic, fed unripe plantain incorporated feed 800mg/kg body weight). The experiment lasted for 28days. The biochemical parameters were measured at the end of the experiment. Groups 3, 4 and 5 rats showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in GLUT 4 activity when compared with group 1/normal control rats, whereas group 2 rats showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in activity. Rats in group 4 and group 5 showed a non- significant (P>0.05) difference whereas rats in group 2 and group 3 showed a significant decrease in GLUT 1 levels when compared to the control group. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in AMPK levels of all the groups. The results obtained show that unripe plantain possesses anti-diabetic properties and may be effective as a dietary management option for diabetics. Keywords: Diabetes, Streptozotocin, Glucose transporters, GLUT1, GLUT4