DIET-INDUCED CHANGES IN SOME PARAMETERS OF OXIDATIVE SATUS IN WISTAR RATS – COMPARISON BETWEEN THREE DIFFERENT DIETS AND EFFECTS OF REPLACING DIETARY SUCROSE WITH STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a high-fat diet, high-carbohydrate diet and a combined high-fat high-carbohydrate diet on some parameters of oxidative status in a rat experimental model, and to test the potential positive effects of replacing sucrose with stevia extract in some of the diets. METHODS: The following parameters of oxidative status were measured: advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), catalase, glutathione and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Fifty-six male Wistar rats were used in the study. Rats were divided into seven groups: 1) group BD (before diet), in which parameters were measured before beginning of the diet; and six more groups in which parameters were measured after 5 weeks on the respective dietary regimen, as follows: 2) group SD (standard diet); 3) group HFD (high-fat diet); 4) group HCHD (high-carbohydrate diet); 5) group HFHCHD (high-fat high-carbohydrate diet); 6) group SD-S (standard diet with added stevia extract); 7) group HFD-S (high-fat diet with added stevia extract). RESULTS: Diets enriched with fats and carbohydrates induce significant changes in some of the oxidative status parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A five-week experimental diet enriched with fats and carbohydrates has the potential to disrupt pro-oxidant / antioxidant balance in rats.