Effect of tomato and tomato paste on lipid metabolism and glucose regulating enzyme activity in Mongolian gerbils fed a high fat diet

Abstract

Lycopene found mainly in tomato is known to prevent hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of tomato and tomato paste on lipid metabolism and glucose regulating enzyme activity in Mongolian gerbils fed a high fat diet. Gerbils of four groups were randomly divided; control (C), high fat diet (HF), high fat and 3% tomato diet (HT), high fat and 3% tomato paste diet (HP). The liver concentration of total lipid decreased significantly in HP group compared to HF group. The phospholipids level increased significantly in HT and HF groups compared with C group. The bile acid excretion into feces decreased significantly in HF and HT groups compared to C group. Plasma glucose level increased significantly in HF group compared to C group. Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activities decreased significantly in high fat diet groups (HF, HT, HP) compared with C group. In conclusion, liver lipid concentration was decreased by supplementation of tomato. Tomato seems to be a beneficial effect on improving lipid metabolism induced by a high fat diet. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.