The present study confirms that a considerable proportion of people with T2DM have microvascular complications and/or PAD at the time of, and possibly years before diagnosis. Having shown that, it is strongly recommended to apply appropriate screening strategies for subjects with diabetes at the time of diagnosis. Finally, these results should be considered as a call for action for the health care planners and providers in our region to plan for early screening for diabetes and its complications to reduce the disease burden in our community.

No abstract

No abstract

Background & Objective(s): Spirulina platensis is an incredibly powerful source of proteins, fibers and antioxidants. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional value of Spirulina platensis cultivated in Egypt and study its effect on fasting blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats. Methods: A total of one kilogram of Spirulina platensis was used in the study. The nutritional value of Spirulina platensis was characterized by measuring its proximate, vitamins, amino acids, minerals and antioxidants contents. We extended our analysis to study its effect on fasting blood glucose (FBG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), serum triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) parameters in sixty male albino rats grouped as 10 control rats and 50 diabetic rats in five groups. The latter comprised 10 diabetic control rats and 40 test rats that were orally administered 10, 20, 30 mg/kg body weight Spirulina platensis and 300 mg/kg of the anti-diabetic medication Metformin respectively for four weeks. Results: Spirulina platensis contained high amount of high quality protein, as eight essential amino acids were present (56.79%). It was also a rich source of Ca, phenolic compounds and flavonoids (363.7, 997 and 711 mg/100g respectively). Spirulina significantly managed body weight of diabetic rats and reduced blood glucose level in treated groups compared to diabetic control by 67.8% and 68.3% in rats treated by 10 and 30 mg/kg body weight Spirulina respectively. Rats administered 30 mg/kg body weight Spirulina achieved decreased TG, TC, and LDL-C levels to reach 101.9, 75.43, and 6.2 mg/dl respectively, with improvement in HDL-C level by 58.7% compared to diabetic control rats. Conclusion: Chemical analysis of Spirulina platensis produced in Egypt showed high nutritional value with high concentration of several functional ingredients. In addition, its effect on the measured FBG, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, and TC parameters in experimental rats was dose dependent.

Background: Avena sativa has been recognized as a healthy and nutritious cereal, containing a high concentration of dietary fiber and dense nutrients. Many scientific research studies linked oats as a healthy diet in the fight against Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Objective(s):This study aims to assess the proximate analysis of Avena Sativa (oats) cultivated in Egypt to evaluate its main nutrient content, and study its effect on blood glucose homeostasis, lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes in type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: Proximate analysis was measured in oats using standard methods. A total of fifty rats grouped into 10 control rats and four groups of 40 diabetic rats were included in the study. The four diabetic groups were classified into the diabetic control group, and the three experimental groups one of them treated with 200 mg/kg Metformin, the other fed on oat grains only as the main diet and the last one fed on oat grains and treated with metformin. Results: Oats are rich in dietary fibers, fat, and protein (9.3, 8.75, and 14.12% respectively). Treatment with metformin and oats showed an improvement in blood glucose homeostasis including FBG, insulin, 12.44, and 3.92 respectively). Lipid profile showed a statistical change among all studied groups. The lowest decrease in lipid profile (LDL and TC) was in the combined group (79.56 and 151.4 respectively). Conclusion: Chemical analysis of oats revealed that it's a good source of the main nutrients, containing protein and fibers compared to standard pellets. In addition, it has a promoting healthy effect on blood levels of fast glucose, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Oats revealed a modulatory curative effect on the diseased liver and pancreatic tissues.