Comparative evaluation of the treatment of induced ulcer and diabetes with yoghurt and drugs in rats

Abstract

Stomach ulcer is a break in the lining of the stomach, mostly the first part of the small intestine and occasionally the lower oesophagus. With a gastric ulcer the pain may worsen with eating. Diabetes on the other hand is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. The effects of yogurt on ulcer induced and diabetes induced in rats was evaluated. The induction of ulcer was done using acetic acid, while diabetes was done using Streptozotocin following standard procedures. The rats were fed with the yogurt (Rev up unsweetened yoghurt) for three (3) weeks, taking the samples of the stomach and pancreas weekly for histopathological examination. The results showed that the 99% acetic acid induced severe gastric ulcer after 72 hrs while Streptozotocin induced type 1 diabetes (235 mg/dl from 90 mg/dl) after 96 hrs. The administration of the yogurt caused cell infiltrations of the stomach wall, distinct ductile without aberrant superior or inferior diverticular of the stomach interlobular lining and well-formed stomach blood vessels. The yoghurt on the other hand caused little positive effect on the pancreas globules after three weeks of administration. The results suggests that consuming unsweetened yoghurts (containing probiotics) may improve glucose metabolism to a degree while it has more gastro-protective effect on ulcer. Therefore, while yoghurt may be recommended for ulcer treatment, it may not be for diabetic patients.