Persea Americana L. (Avocado) Fruit Mesocarp intake in Experimental Diabetic Rats: Impacts and Implication of Mode of Consumption

Background: Few epidemiological data exist on the effects of the mode of consumption of avocado on diet quality, weight management, and lipoglycemic profile in diabetic condition and other metabolic disease risk factors. Objectives: This study investigated the metabolic, lipoglycemic, and anthropometric impacts of avocado fruit mesocarp intake and the implication of its mode of consumption on body weight gain, lipid profile, glycemic tolerance and control in male diabetic Wistar rats. Method: Twenty one (21) adult male Wistar rats (150-220g) were randomly categorized into three experimental groups (n = 7, each): Diabetic control fed with normal diet (DC); Diabetic rats fed with avocado supplemented diet (DSA); Diabetic rats treated with aqueous mesocarp extract of avocado (DAE). Diabetes was inducted with 150 mg/dL, alloxan monohydrate solution intraperitoneally. Animals were fed according to the experimental design with water ad libitum for six weeks. Body weights and fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations were measured twice weekly. LP and OGTT were conducted. Microsoft Excel and statistical SPSS program version 22 were used for data analysis. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Comparison between groups were made using Students’t-test and one way ANOVA. Results: Consumption of avocado mesocarp caused significant reduction in mean body weight gain (DSA: 13.75%; DAE: 10.17%; P value < 0.05) and blood glucose concentrations (DSA: 9.48%; DAE: 21.0%; P = 0.002) with significant improvement in glycemic tolerance and lipid profile (DAE > DSA) over the control. Peaked glycemic responses occurred at 30 minutes of glucose challenge in DSA and DAE groups. Conclusion: Avocado fruit mesocarp intake reduced body weight gain and blood sugar with improved lipid profile and glycemic tolerance in experimental diabetic rats while the mode of consumption influenced its potential impacts.