Apricot and Pumpkin Oils Reduce Plasma Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol Concentrations in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

grasas y aceites, 62 (4), octubre-diciembre, 443-452, 2011, issn: 0017-3495 doi: 10.3989/gya.032911 Apricot and pumpkin oils reduce plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations in rats fed a high-fat diet By Mohamed F. ramadan1,2*, r. Zayed3 , M.Abozid4 and M. M. S. Asker5 1 Agricultural Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Egypt. 2 Chair of Engineer Abdullah Ahmad Baqshan for Bee Research, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 3 Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Egypt. 4 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menofia University, Egypt. 5 Microbial Biotechnology Department, National Research Center, Dokki 12622, Cairo, Egypt (Corresponding author: [email protected] [email protected]) rESuMEn properties and may increase the supply of edible oils. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Aceites de albaricoque y calabaza reducen las con- apricot kernel oil (AO) and pumpkin kernel oil (PO) on the centraciones de colesterol y de triglicéridos en plasma lipid profiles and liver functions of rats fed high fat diets. The en ratas alimentadas con una dieta rica en grasas. high fat diet resulted in great alterations in plasma lipid profiles and liver functions. Twenty-four male albino rats Las semillas oleaginosas no convencionales están siendo were used over a 28 day period. The animals were divided consideradas debido a que sus componentes tienen propieda- into 4 groups, where group 1 represents the negative control des químicas únicas y pueden aumentar la oferta de los acei- which were a fed basal diet, while group 2 received a high tes comestibles. El propósito del presente estudio fue investi- fat diet to serve as the hypercholesterolemic group (positive gar el efecto de los aceites de semilla de albaricoque (AO) y de control). The other two groups were given a high fat diet calabaza (PO) sobre los perfiles de lípidos y las funciones del supplemented with AO and PO. Group 3 was treated daily hígado de ratas alimentadas con una dieta rica en grasas. Las with AO (1g/Kg body weight), while group 4 was treated with dietas ricas en grasas dan lugar a grandes alteraciones en el PO (1g/Kg body weight). The plasma lipid profile and liver perfil de lípidos del plasma y en las funciones del hígado. Vein- functions in the different groups were determined after 14 ticuatro ratas albinas machos, se utilizaron durante un periodo and 28 days. The rats in the treated groups (AO and PO) superior a 28 días. Los animales fueron divididos en 4 grupos, showed significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), en donde el primer grupo representa el control negativo, ali- total triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol mentados con dieta basal, mientras que el grupo 2 recibió una (LDL-C), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate- dieta rica en grasas para servir como grupo con hipercolestero- aminotransferase (AST) activities as well as high levels of lemia (control positivo). Otros dos grupos se alimentaron con high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and total protein una dieta rica en grasas suplementada con AO y PO. El grupo in comparison with the hypercholesterolemic group. It could 3 se trató diariamente con AO (1 g / kg peso corporal), mientras be concluded that AO and PO under study are useful for the que el grupo 4 fué tratado con PO (1 g / kg peso corporal). El treatment of hypercholesterolemia. perfil de lípidos del plasma y las funciones del hígado en los diferentes grupos fue determinado después de 14 y 28 días. KEY-WORDS: Apricot seed oil – Cholesterol – Fatty acids Las ratas de los grupos tratados (AO y PO) mostraron niveles – HDL-cholesterol – Hypercholesterolemia – LDL-cholesterol – significativamente menores de colesterol total (CT), triglicéridos Polyunsaturated – Pumpkin seed oil. totales (TG), colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL- C), y actividades alanina-aminotransferasa (ALT) y aspartato aminotransferasa (AST), así como altos niveles de lipoproteína de alta densidad-colesterol (HDL-C) y proteína total en compa- 1. IntroductIon ración con el grupo con hipercolesterolemia. Se puede concluir que los OA y de PO en estudio son útiles para el tratamiento de Elevated blood levels of total cholesterol la hipercolesterolemia. and LDL-C are established risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), PALABRAS CLAVE: Aceite de semilla de albaricoque – the major health problem in developed countries Aceite de semilla de calabaza – Ácidos grasos – Colesterol (Law, 1999; Muldoon et al., 2001). A large majority – HDL-colesterol – Hipercolesterolemia – LDL-colesterol – Poliinsaturados. of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that elevated plasma triglycerides and/or reduced plasma HDL-C concentrations are associated with SuMMArY increased cardiovascular risk (Poli et al., 2008; Da Luz et al., 2008). Diet plays a major role in Apricot and pumpkin oils reduce plasma cholesterol reducing the risk of CHD. Dietary fat can alter blood and triacylglycerol concentrations in rats fed a high-fat diet. composition; serum lipoprotein levels are subjected Non-conventional oilseeds are being taken into greater to change by including added fat in the diet consideration because their constituents have unique chemical (Hermier and Dillon, 1992). Generally, saturated 443 MOHAMED F. Ramadan, R. ZAyED, M.Abozid and M. M. S. ASKER fatty acids increased the levels of LDL which are apricot kernel contains 40% oil which is composed very atherogenic, partly by reducing the receptor- of 30% linoleic acid (C18:2) and 60% oleic acid mediated uptake; whereas HDL provides protection (C18:1) (Al-Khalifa, 1996). Apricot oil (AO) is also against atherosis through the transportation of a good source of vitamin E (78 mg/100g) and ST cholesterol from tissue to liver for conversion to (Sizova and Andreeva, 2007). Pumpkin seeds bile acids and excretion (Eisenberg, 1984; Grundy, are an excellent source of protein 36.5% and oil 1989). This has led to the search for specific foods 51%. Pumpkin kernel oil (PO) is a common salad and food components that may help to improve the oil and is composed of 55.6% linoleic and 20.4% serum lipoprotein profile (Danielle et al., 2002). oleic acid (El-Adawy and Taha, 2001). PO is Diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids especially high in the γ-tocopherol form of vitamin (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) E, which is a powerful antioxidant, so it protects have been shown to reduce the susceptibility of important biological molecules from oxidative stress LDL to oxidative modification (Reaven et al., 1993). (Stevenson et al., 2007). The aims of the present Diets rich in both oleic acid and linoleic acid are study were to explore the fatty acid profiles, ST and an important component of a cholesterol-lowering tocopherols in apricot and pumpkin kernel cold- diet. Therefore, an emphasis on a balance of pressed oils and to investigate the impact of both unsaturated fatty acids is important when selecting oils on the lipid profile and liver functions of rats fed food sources to replace saturated fatty acids in the a hypercholesterolemic diet. diet (Binkoski et al., 2005). Phytosterols (ST) and phytostanols are lipid compounds structurally similar to cholesterol. 2. MAtErIAlS And MEthodS The intake of phytosterols and/or phytostanols at the level of 1.5-3.0 g/day has been documented 2.1. Materials and oils to reduce blood LDL-C by 10% (Katan et al., Cold-pressed AO and PO were purchased 2003; Demontyl et al., 2009). The efficacy and from the local market (Zagazig, Egypt). Standards safety of phytosterol- and phytostanol-enriched used for ST characterization were purchased from food products have been reviewed by several Supelco (Bellefonte, PA, USA). Standards used regulatory agencies. Also, the sale of phytosterol for vitamin E (a-, b-, γ- and d-tocopherol) were and phytostanol-enriched food products has been purchased from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). approved as a means to reduce blood cholesterol Reagents and chemicals were of the highest purity levels by many European countries (European available. Food Safety Authority, 2008), the United States (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2000), Australia and New Zealand (Commonwealth of 2.2 Methods Australia, Australia New Zealand Food Standards, 2.2.1. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis of fatty 2006). Vitamin E is a central fat-soluble vitamin acid methyl esters (FAME) which is a vitamin of youth, beauty and continuation of the species. Deficiency of this compound affects Fatty acids were transesterified into FAME many tissues in mammalian and bird models using N-trimethylsulfoniumhydroxide (Macherey- (Nelson, 1980). A vitamin E deficiency in humans Nagel, Düren, Germany) according to the procedure causes defects in the developing nervous system reported by (Arens et al., 1994). FAME were of children and hemolysis in adults (Sokol, 1996). identified on a Shimadzu GC-14A equipped Eipdemiologic studies suggest that people with with flame ionization detector (FID) and C-R4AX lower vitamin E levels and other antioxidants may chromatopac integrator (Kyoto, Japan). The flow be at increased risk for certain types of cancer rate of the carrier gas helium was 0.6 mL/min and and atherosclerosis (Gey et al., 1991; Rimm et al., the split value with a ratio of 1:40. A sample of 1993). It is also suggested that supplementation 1µL was injected onto a 30 m 0.25 mm 0.2 with antioxidants may decrease the risk of these µm film Supelco SPTM-2380 (Bellefonte, PA, USA) and other degenerative processes (Kallio et al., capillary column. The injector and FID temperature 2002). High levels of vitamin E and PUFA in oil raise was set at 250°C. The initial column temperature the food value of the oil. Tocopherols in vegetable was 100°C programmed at 5°C/min up to 175°C oils, moreover, are believed to protect PUFA from and held for 10 min at 175°C, then 8°C/min up to peroxidation (Kamal-Eldin and Andersson, 1997).

Load more