The intake of yam (Dioscorea bulbifera Linn) attenuated the hyperglycemia and the bone fragility in female diabetic rats.

INTRODUCTION Diabetic patients have a higher risk to osteoporotic fractures. Foods, such as yam, to oppose hyperglycemia, has been used to treatment of diabetes. OBJECTIVE The goal was assess the role of Brazilian yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) on glycemia and bone parameters of female diabetic rats. METHODS Female Wistar rats with 3 months age were allocated in three groups. Control group (C, n = 6), treated with normal fat diet. Diabetic rats treated with high-fat diet without (DM, n = 8) and with (DMY, n = 8) liofilized yam flour. After 5 weeks of the experiment, serum glucose and insulin, pancreas mass, number and area of pancreas islets were quantified. And femur parameters were analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT). RESULTS Differences were considered significant if P<0.05. Diabetic groups showed lower (P < 0.05): femur and pancreas mass, area of the pancreatic islets and insulin. However, DMY showed lower (-10%, P < 0.05) concentrations of glucose to DM group. Femur, by DXA, showed lower bone mineral density, content and area in the DM group. While the DMY group showed greater (+27%, P < 0.05) radiodensity of femoral head when compared to DM group. DISCUSSION Brazilian yam flour supplement did not fix a defect, but alleviated the consequences of the experimental diabetic disease. It showed results to control the rise in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, suggesting protection in oxidative agents and postpone harm in the bone. CONCLUSION Considering all the findings of the present study, our results suggest that yam flour does act producing benefits in the experimental diabetes.