Effect of high fiber diet on diabetic enteropathy in male albino rats histological, histochemical and sem study

ABSTRACT

Diet is an important factor in regulation of body physiological activities. High fiber diet affects functions of gastrointestinal tract. In the present work 56 male albino rats were used to investigate the effect of high fiber diet on the intestinal changes that might occur after induction of diabetes mellitus. Rats were divided into 2 major groups, including a non-diabetic group and a diabetic group. Animals were sacrificed on the 28th day of the experiment. H and E stained sections showed that in diabetic rats fed a fiber free diet there was a highly significant reduction in the height of villi and height of surface columnar epithelium. There was loss of the surface columnar cells especially near the tip of the villi. Some of the remaining cells showed pyknotic nuclei. The core of the villi showed edema and cellular infiltration. In diabetic rats fed on balanced diet, some villi began to show normal structure. Other villi were seen to be affected. Administration of high fiber diet to diabetic rats resulted in normal structural appearance of most of the villi. Alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was markedly reduced in diabetic rats that received fiber free diet. Enzyme activity was regained in diabetic rats fed on high fiber diet. SEM showed deformed short villi with necrotic villous surface and irregular or lost microvilli, in diabetic rats fed a fiber free diet. Most of the villi were seen to be like those of the control group in diabetic rats that received high fiber diet. So high fiber diet played an important role in improving intestinal changes occuring on top of diabetes mellitus in male albino rats