EN
The 3-factorial study was designed to determine the effects of 5-week dietary supplementation with fructans (inulin or oligofructose, 5% or 10%) as well as a chromium(III) propionate complex (0.3 or 5 mg Cr/kg diet) on blood glucose and insulin, as well as β-oxidation of fatty acids in lymphocytes of STZ induced type 1 diabetic Wistar rats. Dietary inulin supplementation was more efficient in improving blood biochemistry vs. oligofructose. A high-fructan diet significantly lowered blood glucose, insulin resistance index (HOMA-R), and increased β-oxidation of fatty acids in lymphocytes of rats vs. low-fructan diet. Supplementary Cr(III) significantly decreased blood glucose, HOMA-R index and increased β-oxidation activity in lymphocytes of hyperglycemic rats. Moreover, many interaction effects between experimental factors influencing blood biochemical indices were found. The results suggest that dietary fructans and chromium(III) supplementation exerted beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, increasing the efficiency of their utilization in type 1 diabetic rats.