Abstract: In this research, the effect of whole milk, skim milk, milk casein, whey and whey proteins from bactrian camels in Xinjiang on glycolipid metabolism, antioxidant status, hepatocyte morphology, and the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice was investigated. The results showed that all samples except camel milk casein could increase the body mass of diabetic mice, reduce blood sugar, increase serum insulin level, restore blood lipid levels to normal, improve liver antioxidant capacity, and reduce liver tissue damage. In terms of these indicators, the whey treatment group differed more significantly from the model group than did other treatment groups (P < 0.01). Camel whey could increase the expression of PPAR-γ and reduce the expression of SREBP1c in the liver of diabetic mice. In summary, camel whey could effectively improve glycolipid metabolism and relief liver tissue damage in STZ-induced diabetic mice and its effect might be related to the up-regulation of PPAR-γ and the down-regulation of SREBP1c.

Key words: camel milk, type 1 diabetic, liver injury, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c