Abstract:
This study evaluated the pancreatic histomorphometry and possible hypolipidemic effects of graded concentrations of quail egg administration on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were assigned to 5 groups of 6 rats per group. Diabetes was induced in the rats of groups 2-5 by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at the dose of 160 mg/kg. Group 1 rats were not injected with alloxan monohydrate. Rats with fasting blood glucose levels above 126 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Upon establishment of diabetes, rats in groups 2-4 were treated with 30, 15 and 7.5 mg/ml of quail egg solution respectively. Rats in groups 1 and 5 were administered with 10 ml/kg distilled water. At the end of the 21 days treatment, blood samples were collected for lipid profile analyses. The rats were euthanized using chloroform anaesthesia and the pancreases were then collected for histomorphometric assessment. Results of the study revealed that rats treated with 30 mg/ml of quail egg solution showed significant (P<0.05) reductions in the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein when compared with the negative control group while high density lipoprotein was not significantly increased compared to the negative control. The pancreas of diabetic untreated rats showed immense cytoplasmic vacuolation of the islet cells while the groups treated with quail egg solution especially those treated at the 30 mg/ml showed mild degeneration of the islet cells. In conclusion, administration of quail egg solution to alloxanized rats demonstrated hypolipidemia and ameliorated lesions in the pancreas
