OBJECTIVEStudy the effects of β-glucan in highland barley on blood glucose and serum lipid in high fat diet induced C57 mouse.

METHODSUsing table of random number, 40 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (10 mice in each group) by weight: high dosage group (4% β-glucan and high fat diet), low dosage group (2% β-glucan and high fat diet), high fat diet group and normal control group. Food-intake and body weight of C57 mouse were observed. Glucose tolerance tests and examinations of fasting blood glucose were performed at the end of 11 weeks of intervention. Mice were sacrificed after 12 wk of treatment, and serum specimens were obtained to test relevant biochemical indicators.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks raise, among high dosage group, low dosage group, high fat diet group and normal control group, the weight was (32.8 ± 1.5), (40.4 ± 1.9), (40.7 ± 2.1) and (33.5 ± 1.3) g, respectively (F = 55.26, P < 0.05); average food intake was (3.48 ± 0.56), (3.69 ± 0.76), (3.66 ± 0.81) and (3.54 ± 0.61) g/d respectively (F = 0.26, P > 0.05); fasting blood-glucose was (5.29 ± 1.59), (6.13 ± 1.75), (7.63 ± 1.09) and (4.24 ± 0.98) mmol/L respectively (F = 9.54, P < 0.01); serum insulin level was (1.97 ± 0.10), (2.44 ± 0.24), (3.02 ± 0.36) and (1.48 ± 0.28) ng/ml respectively (F = 47.58, P < 0.01); the area under blood glucose concentration curve was (25.81 ± 1.44), (30.42 ± 2.01), (35.17 ± 1.20) and (21.03 ± 1.24) mmol×L(-1)×h(-1), respectively (F = 64.98, P < 0.05); insulin resistance index was (9.84 ± 3.78), (13.69 ± 4.48), (21.54 ± 3.27) and (5.81 ± 1.59) respectively (F = 30.18, P < 0.01); serum total cholesterol (TC) level was (4.05 ± 0.88), (4.30 ± 0.48), (4.73 ± 0.66) and (3.37 ± 0.40) mmol/L respectively (F = 6.70, P < 0.01); serum triglyceride (TG) level was (0.90 ± 0.09), (0.98 ± 0.09), (1.05 ± 0.06) and (0.76 ± 0.26) mmol/L respectively (F = 6.75, P < 0.01); serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was (2.91 ± 0.59), (3.34 ± 0.46), (4.89 ± 0.42) and (3.24 ± 0.37) mmol/L respectively (F = 31.73, P < 0.01); serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was (0.25 ± 0.15), (0.42 ± 0.19), (0.72 ± 0.12) and (0.32 ± 0.11) mmol/L, respectively (F = 17.27, P < 0.01); free fatty acids (FFA) level was (1.06 ± 0.03), (1.05 ± 0.05), (1.18 ± 0.32) and (1.04 ± 0.02) mmol/L, respectively (F = 1.36, P > 0.05); HDL-C/LDL-C was (13.77 ± 5.51), (9.11 ± 3.53), (7.04 ± 1.65) and (11.21 ± 3.31), respectively (F = 5.24, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe β-glucan in highland barley reduced the serum glucose and serum lipid, as well as insulin resistance and the risk of arterial sclerosis in high-fat induced C57 mouse.