Foxtail millet supplementation improves glucose metabolism and gut microbiota in rats with high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Foxtail millet (FM) whole grain has received special attention in recent years. To confirm the hypoglycemic effects of FM, we investigated the effects of FM supplementation on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota in rats with high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes. Specifically, we fully assessed the blood biochemical profiles, pancreatic histopathology, insulin-glucagon immunofluorescence, short-chain fatty acids, and gut microbiota composition of rats with HFD/STZ-induced diabetes before and after FM supplementation. Results showed that both 30% and 48% FM supplementation significantly decreased concentrations of fasting blood glucose, 60-min blood glucose, and blood triglycerides (P