Effects of Different Doses of Oats β-Glucan on Fasting Blood Glucose and Glucose Tolerance in Aged Rats

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of different doses of oats β -glucan (BG) on fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance in aged rats. Method: 24 normal 20 month old rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: high fat diet group, high fat diet + 2% BG group, high fat diet + 5% BG group, and high fat diet + 10% BG group. The food intake and weight of the rats were recorded. After feeding for 3 weeks, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance were measured. Result: Adding 2% BG to a high-fat diet has the best effect on delaying weight gain and lowering blood glucose. Adding 5% BG to a high-fat diet may promote weight gain. The post prandial blood glucose fluctuation was smaller in the high fat diet supplemented with 10% BG group. Conclusion: Oats β -glucan has a characteristic dose effect in regulating blood glucose in elderly rats. The elderly people should pay attention to the dosage duringintake of oats β -glucan.