Goat Milk Improves Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Mice and Protects Pancreatic β‐Cell Functions

Scope Consuming goat milk is known to benefit high‐fat diet‐fed and streptozocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study is conducted to investigate the metabolic effects of a goat milk diet (a form of goat milk powder) on glucose homeostasis and pancreatic conditions in a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by STZ. Methods and results T2DM mice are fed with a goat‐milk‐based diet containing 10.3% w/w goat milk powder for 10 weeks for investigating the in vivo effects; a β‐cell line MIN6 cells are used to test the in vitro effects of digested goat milk (DGM). Goat milk diet improves the deleterious effects of STZ on fasting glucose levels and glucose tolerance, accelerates pancreatic structure recovery, and alters blood metabolites in mice. Based on the significant differences observed in metabolites, the key pathways, metabolite regulatory enzymes, metabolite molecular modules, and biochemical reactions are identified as critical integrated pathways. DGM promotes the cell activity, glucose transportation, and AKT activation in cultured STZ‐treated MIN6 cells in vitro. Conclusions Goat milk diet improves glucose homeostasis and pancreatic conditions of T2DM mice, in association with improved blood metabolite profiles and activation of pancreatic AKT pathway.