The effects of Corylus Avellana on serum lipid profile and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic-diabetic rats

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: There is limited evidence suggesting that nuts improve plasma antioxidant potential. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hazelnut consumption on serum lipids, atherogenic indexes and oxidant-antioxidant status in hyperlipidemic-diabetic rats. Methods: Wistar-albino rats of both sexes, weighing 200-250 g were used in this study. The group of animals used in this study, which consisted of 32 rats, were divided into 4 groups: control, control + hazelnut, hyperlipidemic-diabetic, hyperlipidemic-diabetic + hazelnut. Each group was fed with control or hyperlipidemic diets with the same amount of hazelnut (0.63%) added for 12 weeks. Diabetes has been induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection in diabetic groups. Blood glucose, serum lipids, glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and atherogenic indexes (AI and AIP) have been evaluated after the experiment was over. Results: In hyperlipidemic-diabetic group atherogenic indexes, LPO and serum lipid levels were found to have increased significantly, whereas HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and GSH levels were found to have decreased significantly in comparison with the control group (p < 0.01). Hyperglycemia was also seen to have increased in this group. Impaired antioxidant-oxidant balance was noted to have improved, GSH increased while triglyceride (TG) decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Hazelnut consumption also increased blood GSH levels and atherogenic index levels in the control group. Conclusions: Consumption of hazelnut at this dose (0.63%) may improve oxidant-antioxidant balance in healthy and hyperlipidemic-diabetic status without increasing blood lipids. Keywords: Hazelnut, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, lipids, glutathione, lipid peroxidation.