Effect of high-sucrose diet on liver enzymes and serum protein levels of Wistar albino rats

Abstract

A global change in dietary habits has led to the introduction of sweeteners in foods. This study investigated the effect of concentrations of sucrose on liver enzymes and serum protein levels in Wistar rats. Thirty-five (35) Wistar rats were equally randomized into seven groups and fed with a rat diet mixed with sucrose at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% w/w, while the control group was fed on a normal diet without sucrose. Their blood samples were analyzed for total protein, albumin, ALT, AST, ALK phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (ƔGT) levels. The results indicated that there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in AST (16.00-82.00 µ/L), ALT (44.00-90.80 µ/L), ALK Phos (44.00-90.80 µ/L), and a corresponding decrease in total proteins (69.80-61.39 g/L), albumin (36.00-34.00 g/L) and ƔGT (493.00-191.00 µ/L) levels as the concentration of sucrose increased. Rats fed with sucrose diets had higher levels of AST (39.27 µ/L), ALT (14.50 µ/L), and ALK Phos (68.47 µ/L) than rats fed with normal diets. Therefore, high doses of sucrose can cause increases in serum liver enzymes and total proteins that are suggestive of liver necrosis. Hence, by decreasing the concentrations of sucrose, the liver may be protected.