Goat Milk Improves Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Mice and Protects Pancreatic β-Cell Functions

ScopeConsuming goat milk is known to benefit high-fat diet-fed and streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study is conducted to investigate the metabolic effects of a goat milk diet (a form of goat milk powder) on glucose homeostasis and pancreatic conditions in a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by STZ.Methods and resultsT2DM mice are fed with a goat-milk-based diet containing 10.3% w/w goat milk powder for 10 weeks for investigating the in vivo effects; a beta-cell line MIN6 cells are used to test the in vitro effects of digested goat milk (DGM). Goat milk diet improves the deleterious effects of STZ on fasting glucose levels and glucose tolerance, accelerates pancreatic structure recovery, and alters blood metabolites in mice. Based on the significant differences observed in metabolites, the key pathways, metabolite regulatory enzymes, metabolite molecular modules, and biochemical reactions are identified as critical integrated pathways. DGM promotes the cell activity, glucose transportation, and AKT activation in cultured STZ-treated MIN6 cells in vitro.ConclusionsGoat milk diet improves glucose homeostasis and pancreatic conditions of T2DM mice, in association with improved blood metabolite profiles and activation of pancreatic AKT pathway. The goat milk diet (in the form of goat milk powder) improve glucose homeostasis and pancreatic conditions in type 2 diabetes mellitus mice. Positive effects of digested goat milk on cell viability and apoptosis in Min6 cells are observed. These improvements are closely linked to host metabolite alterations, suggesting potential biomarkers or active ingredients for type 2 diabetes treatment. image

Automated summary

The goat milk diet improves glucose homeostasis and pancreatic conditions in type 2 diabetes mellitus mice, with positive effects on blood metabolite profiles and activation of pancreatic AKT pathway. The effects of digested goat milk on cell viability and apoptosis in Min6 cells are observed and may serve as potential biomarkers for diabetes treatment.