Dose-Dependent Effects of Dietary Yellow Corn Powder on Glycemic Control, Liver Enzymes, and Renal Function in Diabetic Rats: A 28-Day Experimental Study.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism and may adversely affect hepatic and renal function. Yellow corn (Zea mays L.) contains carbohydrates, dietary fiber, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenoids that may contribute to its potential metabolic effects. This study evaluated the effects of dietary yellow corn powder at two inclusion levels on selected metabolic and biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Thirty-two male albino Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8/group): normal control, diabetic control, and diabetic rats receiving diets containing 4% or 8% yellow corn powder. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin at 70 mg/kg body weight. The experimental period lasted 28 days. Body weight and food intake were monitored, and serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, and uric acid were determined at the end of the experiment. Pancreatic tissues were also examined histopathologically.
Results: Compared with the diabetic control group, yellow corn supplementation was associated with improved body weight gain and feed efficiency, reduced serum glucose, and increased insulin concentrations. The supplemented groups also showed lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels, together with higher HDL-C concentrations. Pancreatic histology showed relatively better preservation of tissue architecture in supplemented rats. Overall, the 8% inclusion level produced more pronounced improvements than the 4% level.
Conclusion: Dietary yellow corn powder was associated with favorable metabolic, biochemical, and pancreatic changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These findings support its potential as a functional dietary ingredient for improving diabetes-related metabolic disturbances, although further studies are required to confirm the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects.