Effects of four coarse cereals on blood glucose levels in rats with STZ-induced hyperglycemia

Abstract

This study aims to compare the protection effects of different varieties of oats, buckwheat, barley and foxtail millet against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia in rats. Eight varieties of each coarse cereal were selected from the main production areas of China. The contents of resistant starch in oats, buckwheat, barley and foxtail millet were 31.41 ± 5.16%, 31.55 ± 10.34%, 19.77 ± 4.13% and 43.54 ± 9.01%, respectively. These four coarse cereals were added to diets of rats at 15%. The results showed that five varieties of buckwheat (Chitianqiao No. 1, Xinong No. 9976, Taixing, Chuanqiao No. 1 and Heifeng No. 1) significantly decreased the blood glucose levels (P < .05) with the highest total phenolic content. Two varieties of barley (Supi No. 3 and Zangqing No. 2000) and two varieties of foxtail millet (Yugu No. 18 and Ansai) significantly reduced the blood glucose levels in vivo (P < .05).

Keywords

• coarse cereals
• hyperglycemia
• oats
• buckwheat
• barley
• foxtail millet