INVESTIGADORES
SANCHEZ Sara Serafina Del V.
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Effects of Yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp&Ende) roots in diabetic rats
Autor/es:
HABIB N.; GENTA S.B.; BAZAN C.; SANCHEZ S.S.
Lugar:
Carlos Paz, Cordoba
Reunión:
Congreso; XLIV Annual Meeting Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research (SAIB); 2008
Institución organizadora:
SAIB
Resumen:
Diabetes
mellitus is a disease characterized by abnormalities in carbohydrates and
lipids metabolism. In addition to synthetic drugs, several medicinal plants are
actually used for their treatment, without proper scientific validation. Smallanthus
sonchifolius [Poepp. & Ende] H. Robinson (yacon) is a plant originating
from South America. Its roots contain low polymerization degree
oligosaccharides (FOS) as the main storage saccharides. Several studies have demonstrated
that fructans may affect the carbohydrates and lipids metabolism with healthy
effects. In this study we examined the effects of 2 month oral administration
of yacon roots in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The treatment induced
progressive weight loss associated with an important reduction of
intraabdominal fat. Yacon supplement had no hypoglycemic effects, but total
cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triacylglycerol plasma levels showed positive
modifications attributable to yacon administration. Not significantly variation
in serum insulin levels was observed, however, by immunocytochemical studies
(anti- insulin and anti- proliferate anti H3 antibodies) and morphometric
studies revealed an increase in pancreatic isolates. These results could be attributed
to the high content of FOS in yacon roots. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the mechanisms involved.