ABSTRACT
In this study, the effect of phytic acid supplement on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Diabetic rats were fed rodent chow with or without phytic acid supplementation for thirty days. Blood and organ samples were collected for assays. The average food intake was the highest and the body weight gain was the lowest in the group fed phytic acid supplement compared to the diabetic and normal control groups. There was a downward trend in intestinal amylase activity in the group fed phytic acid supplement compared to the other groups. The spike in random blood glucose was the lowest in the same group. We noted reduced serum triglycerides and increased total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels in the group fed phytic acid supplement. Serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine amino transferase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by phytic acid supplementation. Systemic IL-1 ß level was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in the diabetic control and supplement treated groups. The liver lipogenic enzyme activities were not significantly altered among the groups. These results suggest that phytic acid supplementation may be beneficial in the management of diabetes mellitus. The observed adverse effect on the liver may be due to the combined effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and phytic acid supplementation.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of poor glycaemic control in otherwise clinically stable diabetic patients seen in a tertiary hospital. STUDY DESIGN: It was a cross-sectional study of 64 type 2 diabetic patients and 32 healthy controls. Patients were randomly selected from registered diabetic patients of the hospital who came to the pathology phlebotomy room for routine fasting plasma glucose investigation; (prior to their regular diabetic clinic attendance). The controls were selected from amongst hospital workers and clients of the hospital on routine medical investigations. The fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin were estimated, so also was urinalysis. The mean, standard deviation and standard error of mean (SEM) were calculated, so also were the frequency and percentages. Student ' t ' test method was applied as test of statistical significance. RESULTS: 53.2% of the patients had good glycaemic control, 31.2% fair and 15.6% poor glycaemic control. 46.9% glycosuria, 34.4% proteinuria and 9.4% ketonuria. 31.8% had no formal education and 46.9% had no knowledge of the type of drugs they were taking for the disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor glycaemic control is high in type 2 DM patients seen in our hospital. More regular monitoring of FPG and glycated haemoglobin is recommended.
