Insulin Resistance through High-sugar Diets and its Effects on the Endometrium in Swiss Albino Mice: An Experimental Study to Elicit the Beneficial Effects of Coconut Sugar

Abstract

Introduction: Insulin resistance (IR) has an insidious onset and is mainly due to the consumption of high-energy diets. Refined sugars contain high fructose which predisposes to IR and affects the endometrium since endometrium exhibits high-affinity insulin receptors, and the natural unrefined sugars such as coconut sugar are proved to be beneficial, but scientific studies are scarce to validate the findings. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 36 female Swiss albino mice were divided into control and high-fructose and high-coconut sugar diet groups. The respective diets were prepared daily and fed for a period of 12 weeks, and the animals were sacrificed by the administration of ether. Biochemical parameters were assessed, and the uterus was removed and processed for histopathological analysis. Results: Glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-IR were assessed, in which there was an increase in the levels in the high-fructose group than the control and coconut sugar groups. The values were statistically significant in the Kruskal–Wallis analysis (P < 0.001) and post hoc test showed a significant difference between the control and fructose diet groups. Hormonal assay showed elevated testosterone levels in the fructose group (Kruskal–Wallis test, P < 0.001), which showed significance in post hoc test when compared with the control group (P < 0.030). Histopathological examination revealed complex hyperplasia with nuclear atypia in the fructose group, whereas the findings were normal in the coconut sugar and control groups. Discussion: The present study proved coconut sugar to be beneficial, and there is a strong correlation of high-energy diets on the endometrium due to IR. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the intake of natural sugars does not cause damage to the endometrium which is sensitive to insulin resistance.