there a relationship between the types of oil consumed and brain and serum lipid profile of hyperlipidemic rats?

The aim of this study is looking at the effects of olive, flaxseed, and sesame oils on, brain and serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels of hyperlipidemic male rats. In the first place oils were chemically analysed for fatty acid composition. Rats were then fed on a diet containing 10% of the oils for a period of 12 weeks apart from positive control group which fed on high fat diet. The rats were then decapitated; brains were removed, and weighed; blood was collected for analyses. Cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in the serum of all animals received different dietary oils were decreased significantly [P=0.05] relative to the negative control group. On the other hand, brain cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels of all animals received the dietary oils were not significantly affected. Serum cholesterol level of the rats fed on olive oil was significantly lower than that of the other groups. Moreover, those fed on fiaxseed oil diet had the lowest level of triacylglycerol comparing with other groups. Furthermore, it is concluded that brain lipid levels of rats are not connected with serum levels that differently affected by various dietary oils. Histological results showed a marked to slight improvement of brain tissues responding to flaxseed oil, and olive oil respectively. But slight histopathological changes were noticed in sesame oil diet group

Biological and biochemical studies on pollen grains date palm adding to rats diet

The present study was conducted on experimental animals show the effect of different levels [14%, 20% and 30%] of pollen grains of date palm on food intake, feed efficiency, serum lipid profile, serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT], serum urea and createnin. Twenty eight male albino rats sprague Dawley strain weighing [95-110g] ten weeks old. They were divided into 4 groups [7 rats each], the rats of the control group were fed on standard diet, and the other 3 groups were fed standard diet plus 14%, 20% and 30% of pollen grains respectively. Food and water were provided ad-libitam for 4 weeks, at the end of experiment blood sample was taken and organs were removed. Serum was separated and kept at -20C degree until analysis. The result showed that: Weight gain was highly significant in group [2] which received 14% pollen grains when compared to the control group. Higher values of food intake and feed efficiency ratio in group [2] and [3] compared to the control group. Significant decrease of serum triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL-c] in all treatment groups when compared to the control group. Significant decrease of low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] in forth group which received 30% of pollen grains and significant increase of high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] in the same group when compared to control group. Significant decrease in serum glucose were among treatments compared to control group. Significant decrease in AST in group [4]. which received 30% of pollen grains, while there was a significant decrease in ALT in all treatment groups when compared to control group. Finally, there was a significant decrease in serum urea in both group 2 and 3 when compared to control group

Use of oyster shell as a source of calcium supplement in adult female rats

This study was conducted to investigate the biological effect of different amounts of oyster shell powder [OSP] as a source of calcium supplement, their effects on certain biochemical parameters and the acceptability of using oyster shell powder as a source of calcium supplement in bakery product such as biscuit. Twenty four adult female albino rats were divided into four groups [6 / each group], the first group was fed on standard diet as control group while the other three groups were fed on standard diet supplemented with 6.25, 12.5 and 25.0 g OSP/kg diet which provide 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g calcium respectively. Results revealed that 98% of OSP is calcium carbonate. Groups of rats supplemented with OSP had a higher food intake,% weight gain and food efficiency ratio than control group. Kidney and heart relative weight of the group supplemented with 25g OSP was significantly higher than control. In addition, supplementation with OSP caused a significant increase in Ca intake, serum Ca, femur bone calcium and apparent Ca absorption. Biscuit supplemented with the highest level of OSP was not acceptable by the panelists. In conclusion, oyster shell powder can be used as a source of calcium supplement especially in the first and second doses

Nutrition status and serum uric acid levels in adult men and its relation to atherosclerosis

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid [SUA] concentration and atherosclerosis. Forty five adult men aged 40-60 years were volunteers from three different institutions in Cairo. They were divided into 3 equal groups: one group being clinically healthy and normal serum uric acid was taken as control. The second group suffered from hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia. The third group sufferred from hyperuricemia only. All groups were subjected to socioeconomic data collection, dietary and anthropometric [weights and heights] assessment, chemical analysis included serum levels of uric acid, lipid profile and platelets count. The results showed that all groups had their requirements from total calories and total proteins but low in carbohydrates. Group II had high fat and purine intake. It also showed positive correlation between serum uric acid and each of protein, fat and purine intake and the highest atherogenic index. Also there was positive correlation between serum uric acid and blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and negative correlation with blood platelets. Hence, it is recommended to have balanced diet with reasonable amount of foods rich in purine as prophylactic measure against atherosclerosis

Effect of feeding some herbs on body weight and blood glucose and insulin levels in normal and alloxan - diabetic rats

The present work was undertaken to study the effect of feeding 3 herbs viz.: Ambrosia maritima [Damsissa], Aloe vera [Sabbar] and Lactuca virosa [Lebbien], alone and in combination, on body weight, blood glucose and insulin levels in normal and alloxan - diabetic rats. The obtained results revealed that feeding normal and diabetic rats on diets supplemented with Ambrosia maritima or Aloe vera or Lactuca virosa or a mixture of them did not affect body weight at end of the study period. Diets containing Ambrosia maritima or Aloe vera or Lactuca virosa at 10% concentration significantly decreased blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats. Feeding diets supplemented with Ambrosia manitima or Aloe vera at 10% concentration caused significant increases in serum insulin levels in diabetic rats, while the diet containing Lactuca virosa at 10% concentration did not. Diet mixed with the 3 tested herbs at 5% concentration when fed for 3 weeks to both normal and diabetic rats caused significant decreases in blood glucose and increases in serum insulin levels at end of the study period. In conclusion, feeding normal and diabetic rats on diets supplemented with a mixture consisting of Ambrosia maritima, Aloe vera and Lactuca virosa at 5% concentration for 3 weeks produced significant hypoglycemic and hyperinsulinemic effects, but did not affect body weight. Therefore, daily intake of mixture of these herbs for 3 weeks may be useful in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Biochemical evaluation of local pollen grains of date palm

The aim of this study, is to estimate chemical composition of five samples of local pollen grains mixture of Zaghlool and Samani of date palm [50:50% w/w]. The obtained results showed that the chemical composition of pollen grains were 3.68 +/- 0.15%, 6.39 +/- 0.07%, 0.92 +/- 0.005%, 36 +/- 0.55%, 3.12 +/- 0.03 and 49.90 +/- 0.08 of moisture, ash, fat, protein, fiber and carbohydrates respectively. Pollen grains of date palm rich source in minerals, potassium content was the highest concentration of macroelements. This was followed by phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and sodium. Iron content was the highly concentration of microelement and was followed by manganese, zinc, copper and selenium. Vitamins content of pollen grain were vitamin A, E, B1 and B2. Vitamin B1 content was the highest concentration 46.57 +/- 1.03 mg/100g. Fatty acids composition of pollen grains was saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Eurucic acid [C[20:1]] content the largest concentration and followed by Linoleic acid [C[18:2]]. Leucine as essential amino acid and asparatic as a non essential amino acid were the highest concentration. Amino acid score of protein pollen grains of date palm was 23.18% and isolucine is limited amino acid. Biological value of protein pollen grains of date palm was 28.51

Dietary folate intake, serum folate concentration and knowledge about folate in women of childbearing age

This study was conducted on 30 young women [19-23 years] in order to investigate dietary folate intake, serum concentrations of folate and knowledge about it.The associations of folate intake and serum concentration of folate with other factors such as socioeconomic, anthropometric and dietary factors were studied also. Dietary intakes of energy and selected nutrients were estimated using 24-hour recall for seven days. Nutritive value of foods was calculated and was evaluated using recommended nutrient intakes [RNI]. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated.Each participant was asked to fill out questionnaire that include questions which assess her knowledge about folate. Blood samples were collected for the determination serum folate, hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations and red blood cell folate concentrations were calculated. Results revealed that mean hemoglobin and hematocrit values of the sample were [12.95 +/- 0.96 g/dl and 36.12 +/- 1.83%] respectively. Mean serum folate was [4.30 +/- 0.43 ng/ml] while mean RBC folate was [262.11 +/- 21.52 ng/ml].All subjects have values within the reference range. Data showed that mean intake of folate was [240.93 +/- 100.37 micro g/day] and the mean consumption of both iron and folate covers only about [60%] of RNI. The differences in serum, RBC and dietary folate according to economic classes were not significant, while the differences between the four BMI categories concerning serum and RBC folate were highly significant. In addition, folic acid knowledge did not have any influence on serum, RBC folate or dietary folate intake. Serum folate showed significant positive correlations with dietary folate, protein, fiber, all vitamin B complex group except vitamin B6. Moreover, dietary folate had also significant positive correlation with serum folate, energy, protein, fiber, iron, the majority of vitamin B complex group and vitamin C. It could concluded that the nutritional status of folate among the present sample is fairly acceptable. So, it would be appropriate to implement strategies to increase the consumption of folate rich food among this group and to support the need for folate fortification of certain stable foods in order to secure sufficient intake of folate in the whole population