TAMARIND SUPPLEMENTATION AMELIORATES FLUORIDE-INDUCED GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN RATS

In addition to causing dental and skeletal fluorosis, exposure to high levels of the fluoride ion (F) can alter glucose homeostasis and lead to insulin resistance (IR). Tamarind can act as an antidiabetic agent and the present study was planned to investigate (i) the effect of F on IR and (ii) the protective effect of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) fruit extract (TFE) supplementation on F-induced glucose intolerance and IR. For this purpose, Wistar National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) rats (n=18) were taken and randomly distributed into three groups: group I (control) were treated with normal water, group II (F) were treated with 100 ppm F water, and group III (F+TFE) were treated with 100 ppm F water + TFE (200 mg/kg body weight). After 6 months, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the insulin profile were studied. The results of the study revealed that the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was unaffected by F but in the F+TFE treated group it was significantly decreased. A significant increase in the plasma glucose levels was observed in the F group at 30, 60, and 120 min (p