Effects of Goat Milk Yogurt Supplemented with Citrus Concentrate on Blood Glucose and Serum Lipids in Diabetic Rats

The effects of fermented goat milk supplemented with citrus concentrate on blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats were examined. Streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats (type II) were divided into five experimental groups treated with metformin, goat milk, fermented goat milk, fermented goat milk containing citrus concentrate, or no supplementation (control). The rats in each group were examined weekly for blood levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride. HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol. and body weight. On the day of the experiment, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out. Administration of fermented goat milk to the diabetic rats significantly decreased blood glucose and triglyceride levels, while administration of metformin (33.3 mg/kg body weight) did not significantly lower blood glucose levels. Fermented goat milk containing citrus concentrate caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in the OGTT at 30 min. This study shows that supplementation with fermented goat milk containing citrus concentrate may be a practical method of reducing blood glucose levels in type II diabetics.