Telifairiaoccidentalis (Pulp And Juice) Ameliorates High Sucrose Diet‐Induced Hepatic Steatosis And Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Global increase in sucrose rich diet and beverages consumption has been linked with the recent escalation in fatty liver diseases and other oxidative stress. Also, there are numerous claims on the health benefits of vegetable rich diets, especially on cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic syndromes. Thus, this study investigated the ameliorative potential of Telifairia occidentalis juice and pulp portions on high sucrose diet‐induced hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, electrolytes and hepatic biomarker enzymes status. Thirty two male albino rats of wistar strain weighing between 80 – 100g were used, grouped into six with respect to their dietary formulation. Sucrose supplied 30% energy portion of the high sucrose diet while Telifairia occidentalis supplied 10% energy of the diet supplemented with the leafy vegetable. The rats were fed with these modified diets for four weeks afterwards, the rats were sacrificed and liver was harvested for biochemical assay. In the results, high sucrose diet significantly (p<0.05) increased hepatic total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL‐cholesterol, and reduced HDL‐cholesterol while, the vegetable fractions (pulp and juice) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the elevated lipid profile. High sucrose diet induced oxidative stress by reducing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and resulted in oxidative damage as it significantly (P<0.05) increased malondialdehyde generation. Juice and pulp fractions of Telifairia occidentalis ameliorated the effect of high diet induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, high sucrose diet elevated alanine and aspartate transferases activities in the liver of rats. On the other hand, juice and pulp supplemented diets normalized the liver function biomarker enzymes activities. Although, pulp and juiced fractions of Telifairia occidentalis ameliorated the damaging effect of high sucrose diet on liver calcium, sodium and potassium status but not chlorides. Therefore, pulp and juiced forms of Telifairia occidentalis possess hypolipidemic, antioxidant, as well as hepato‐protective potentials also; pulp fraction of the Telifairia occidentalis tends to be more effective.