STUDY THE NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF FLAXSEED, SUNFLOWER AND PUMPKIN SEEDS ON THE LEVEL OF BLOOD LIPIDS AND WEIGHT GAIN ON RATS

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the use of flaxseed, sunflower and pumpkin seeds to improve the level of serum lipid profile, high liver enzymes, renal function and antioxidant enzymes. Fifty four mature male albino rats weighing 150±10g were divided into two main groups; control negative group (6 rats) was fed on basal diet and the second main group (48 rats) which was fed on hyperlipidemic diet for four weeks to induce hyperlipidemia. Rats on the second main group supplements were divided into eight subgroups (each group consisted of 6 rats and fed on basal diet. Group were as a following: The first group was left as a control positive, the second group fed diet containing 5 % flaxseeds / kg in diet. The third group fed diet containing 5 % sunflower seeds / kg in diet. The fourth group fed diet containing 5 % pumpkin seeds kg in diet. The fifth group fed diet containing 5 % mix of pumpkin and sunflower seeds. The sixth group fed diet containing 5 % mix of pumpkin and flaxseeds. The seventh group fed diet containing 5 % mix of sunflower and flaxseeds. The eighth group fed diet containing 5 % mix of sunflower, flaxseeds and pumpkin. Feeding experiment lasted for 28 days. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein fractions (HDLc, LDLc and VLDLc), atherogenic index (AI), liver enzymes(ALT, AST, ALP),total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, uric acid, urea, creatinine, antioxidant levels superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Histopathological changes of heart was examined. The obtained results concluded that feeding with flaxseed (5%), sunflower (5%) and pumpkin seeds (5%) improved liver, kidney functions, lipid profile, antioxidant levels (SOD), (CAT), (GPX), (MDA), heart tissues changes. According to the results, flaxseed, sunflower and pumpkin seeds could be used to improve the health situation of obese rats along with weight loss.