Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effect of formulated diet containing wheat gluten and Stevia as egg and sweetener replacers in chemically induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were fed on either basal diet (BD) or formulated diet (FD) containing wheat gluten and Stevia for 30 days. Fasting plasma were subjected to analysis of glucose level biochemical markers as lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests. The results obtained showed that the FD for diabetics has a good score. Compared with the BD, the high-protein diet resulted in lower serum concentrations of triacylglycerol (p < 0.05), glucose (p < 0.001) and higher serum concentrations of urea (p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in total or HDL cholesterol or in creatinine.  There was a slight decrease in urea and AST values in FD for diabetics group compared with BD. Formulated diet containing gluten protein with Stevia  reversed the effects of diabetes on reducing glucose,LDL-c, triacylglycerol levels and can be considered as a valuable candidate in the reversal of the diabetic complications. 

Key words: Stevia, wheat gluten, diabetes, rats.