Plasma Lipid Profile and Target Organ Effect of Theobromine Extracts from Cocoa in Wistar Rats

Abstract

The influence of theobromine rich extracts of cocoa on plasma lipid profile and its organ specific effects on the kidney and liver were determined in twenty female weaning albino wistar rats. Varying concentration, 70 mg/kg, 140 mg/kg and 210 mg/kg body weight of theobromine in 0.9% normal saline were administered intraperitoneally (I. P.) to different groups of the rats weighing between 120-160 g body weight for four consecutive days. The control group received normal saline only. Theobromine rich extracts of cocoa produced a dose dependant increase in the levels of total plasma cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, in all experimental groups. However, the increase was only statistically significant (P 0.05). The microscopic examination of the liver showed no significant histopathological changes but there were significant histopathological lessions in the kidney evidenced as, vacuolar degeneration of proximal tubular epithelium, vascular congestion, eosinophilic cast, lymphocytic infiltration oedema and acute tubular necrosis. The factors responsible for elevation in plasma lipids and the significance of such a rise are discussed in relation to antherogenesis. Discovery and Innovation Vol. 13 no. 3/4 December (2001) pp. 196-202 KEY WORDS: theobromine, plasma lipid-profile, kidney lession, artheorogenesis Resume L'influence des extraits de cacao, riches en theobromine sur le profil des lipides plasmiques et ses effets specifiques sur les reins et le foie, a ete determinee chez vingt femelles de souris blanches souche wistar, en sevrage. Differents groupes de souris pesant entre 120-160g ont recu pendant 4 jours consecutifs, des injections intraperitoneales de solution normale de theobromine 0,9%, a des doses de 70 mg, 140 mg et 200 mg/kg de poids vif. Le groupe temoin a recu uniquement une solution normale sans theobromine. Les extraits de cacao riches en theobromine ont provoque une augmentation dependante des doses, des niveaux de cholesterol plasmique total et de HDL-cholesterol dans tous les groupes experimentaux. Toutefois, l'augmentation etait seulement statistiquement significative (P 0.05). L'examen microscopique du foie n'a montre aucun changement histopathologique critique mais il y avait des lesions histopathologiques significatives dans les reins, tel que prouve par la degeneration de l'epithelium intestinal proximal, la congestion vasculaire, la dissolution des eosinophilies, l'infiltration des oedemes lymphocytaires et la necrose intestinale aigue. Les facteurs responsables de l'elevation du niveau de lipides plasmiques et la signification d'une telle augmentation sont discutes par rapport a l'antherogenese. Discovery and Innovation Vol. 13 no. 3/4 December (2001) pp. 196-202 Mots-cles: theobromine, profil des lipides plasmiques, lesion du rein, antherogenese