Whole grain foods are rich in dietary fiber and phytochemicals, and they have significant potential in improving the glycolipid metabolism disorder of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This article reviews the current research status and mechanism of action of whole grain foods in regulating T2DM by modulating key enzyme activities. The research focuses on the regulatory effects of whole grain foods on enzymes related to glucose metabolism and key enzymes of lipid metabolism. At the same time, it analyzes how dietary fiber in whole grain foods improves intestinal microecological environment, enhances insulin sensitivity, and thereby alleviates metabolic disorders. The study shows that whole grain foods mainly exert their effects through two pathways: one is directly regulating the activity of key enzymes in glycolipid metabolism, including upregulating glucose kinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase to promote glucose utilization, while inhibiting fatty acid synthase and activating fatty acid oxidase, thereby improving hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia; the other is reshaping the intestinal microecology through dietary fiber, and indirectly enhancing insulin sensitivity. Although studies have shown that whole grain foods have certain intervention potential for T2DM, differences in types of whole grain foods, intake amounts, and study populations may lead to heterogeneity in intervention effects. Therefore, future research needs to further reveal the mechanism of action of whole grain foods in regulating glycolipid metabolism and assess their practical application potential in clinical treatment. In summary, whole grain foods as potential auxiliary treatments for T2DM have important research value.
Povzetek: Based on the analysis of the abnormal characteristics of key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes, this article systematically summarizes the research progress of whole-grain foods in regulating lipid metabolism from three aspects: the dietary fiber and phytochemical composition of whole-grain foods, the evidence from animal experiments, and multi-omics and computer modeling. The article focuses on the chain of “whole-grain – key enzymes – intestinal microecology – metabolic phenotype”, summarizes the current advantages and limitations of the evidence, emphasizes that whole-grain is more suitable as an auxiliary intervention in the long-term dietary management of T2DM, and provides theoretical references for the subsequent optimization of whole-grain variety selection, processing methods, and individualized dietary strategies.
