Effect of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF) on Lipid Profile, Blood Glucose Levels, and Food Intake in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats.

This study was aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of containing glucose tolerance factor (GTF) from Brewer's yeast in improving glycaemic control in diabetic rats and lowering some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disorders. The study used Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 150-200 g. Animals were randomly (n=6) divided into eight groups as normal control, normal control receiving Brewer's yeast, diabetic, Brewer's yeast receiving diabetic, Metformin-treated diabetic, and Glimepiride-treated diabetic, and two diabetic groups treated with Brewer's yeast and 50% of the Metformin and Glimepiride doses, respectively. To induce diabetes, Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally to all rats, except control group rats. Body weight (weekly), food intake (every day), blood glucose, and lipid profile (initially and at the end of the study) were assessed for four weeks in all groups. Brewer's yeast administration significantly decreased blood glucose levels and prevented reduction in body weight, increased food intake and alterations in the lipid profile compared to untreated groups, and were comparable to the groups treated with standard drugs. Results of this study showed that oral administration of Brewer's yeast extract might be an excellent alternative antidiabetic agent which could be also useful in reducing the required dose of standard antidiabetic agents when combined.