| dc.description.abstract | Mushrooms are currently being recognized as important food for their significant role in
human health, nutrition and disease. They provide wide variety of physiologically active
compounds and can thus be used in the treatment of metabolic diseases.
The objective of this study was to evaluate some metabolic effects of two mushroom
preparations (Pleurotus ostreatus) and (Agaricus bisporis) in alloxan induced diabetic rats.
This involved determination of blood glucose levels using a glucometer, determination of TC,
HDL, LDL, triglycerides, bilirubin, and ALT levels by using a reflotron machine and
determination of body and organ weights using an animal weighing balance.
Levels of blood glucose, LDL, triglycerides and ALT were reduced significantly in diabetic
rats fed on Agaricus bisporis, Pleurotus ostreatus and in the combination of the two
mushroom preparations as compared to the control (p< 0.05). Levels of HDL and body
weight were raised significantly in diabetic rats fed on Agaricus bisporis, Pleurotus ostreatus
and in the combination of the two mushroom preparations as compared to the control (p<
0.05). There was no change in Bilirubin and creatinine levels in diabetic rats fed on Agaricus
bisporis, Pleurotus ostreatus and in the combination of the two mushroom preparations as
compared to the control (p> 0.05). There was a decrease in kidney and liver weight in
diabetic rats fed on Agaricus bisporis, Pleurotus ostreatus and in the combination of the two
mushroom preparations as compared to the control (p< 0.05). There was increase in
pancrease weight (p< 0.05) and no change in spleen weight (p> 0.05).
Pleurotus ostreatus, Agaricus bisporis and a combination of the two mushroom species
reduced blood glucose levels, LDL, triglycerides and ALT levels, indicating that the two
mushroom species have compounds with cholesterol and glucose lowering activities. The
high levels of HDL (good cholesterol) are indicative of the mushrooms ability to protect
against heart attack, since HDL maintains good cholesterol. Changes in bilirubin and
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creatinine levels are indicative of kidney or liver diseases. There was no change in bilirubin
and creatinine levels (p > 0.05), indicating that the mushrooms species alongside lowering
blood sugar and cholesterol levels also protects against hemolytic anemia, jaundice, liver
diseases, acute and chronic kidney disorders. Normally diabetes is associated with body
weight loss. The current study shows that Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporis are
important in controlling weight loss as seen in the results where body weight gain is realized.
ALT is a marker that shows the extent of liver damage. Low ALT suggests that intake of
Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporis protects against alloxan induced inflammation of
the liver. Increase in pancrease weight is due to hepatocellular glycogen accumulation. Low
liver and kidney weight are as a result of reduction in plasma LDL and elevated levels of
HDL.
From the study ingestion of Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporis has significant health
benefits through the modulation of physiological functions including hypoglycemic and
cholesterol lowering activities and can thus be used as prophylactic against metabolic
diseases.
However, there is need for further studies to identify the bio active compounds responsible
for the metabolic effects of both Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporis. Such studies can
identify compounds present with therapeutic value that can treat diabetes safely.
Keywords: Agaricus bisporis; Pleurotus ostreatus; Hypoglycemia; Cholesterol; Alanine
aminotranferase; Diabetes; Albino rats; Alloxan; Metformin | en_US |
