Abstract
We studied the effects of whey and pumpkin seed oil supplementation on the biochemical parameters in blood serum of male rats after chronic ad libitum alcohol consumption. The levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, LDH, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglyceride/HDL ratio, total cholesterol/HDL ratio (cholesterol ratio) and LDL/HDL ratio (index of atherosclerosis) were determined in rats after six weeks of treatment with: (i) ethanol (12% ethanol, ad libitum), (ii) whey (2 g/kg per day), (iii) pumpkin seed oil (2 mL/kg per day), (iv) both ethanol and whey, and (v) both ethanol and pumpkin seed oil. The results showed no changes in the levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, total cholesterol, HDL and VLDL in alcoholic rats when compared to the controls (fed with a standard laboratory diet ad libitum) and rats supplemented with whey and pumpkin seed oil. Our results suggest that alcohol consumption in small doses for 6 weeks changes lipid metabolism and significantly elevates the LDL/HDL ratio (index of atherosclerosis) but does not induce extensive liver damage. Ethanol consumption in our experimental conditions lowered the triglyceride level as well as the triglyceride/HDL ratio, suggesting lipid redistribution and the induction of some cardio-protective effect. However, ethanol induced a higher index of atherosclerosis. Pumpkin seed oil showed some protective potential in alcoholic rats by lowering the total cholesterol/HDL ratio, but it elevated the LDH. Whey consumption prevented elevation of the atherosclerosis index, pointing to its protective role, probably through the redistribution of lipids. However, whey in combination with ethanol elevated LDH.
Highlights
Contemporary lifestyle imposes sedentary behavior and increased consumption of alcohol
We studied the effects of whey and pumpkin seed oil supplementation on the biochemical parameters in blood serum of male rats after chronic ad libitum alcohol consumption
The results showed no changes in the levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in alcoholic rats when compared to the controls and rats supplemented with whey and pumpkin seed oil
Summary
Contemporary lifestyle imposes sedentary behavior and increased consumption of alcohol. In our experiment we exposed rats to daily intake of a 12% ethanol solution ad libitum with no access to water, in order to explore how lower doses of alcohol affect lipid metabolism and liver function. Whey is a popular dietetic product for reducing body weight and increasing muscle mass during body building exercises It is derived from milk and has been studied as a functional food due to its biological constituents, such as lactoferrin, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, glycomacropeptide, immunoglobulins, lactose, vitamins and minerals. In the present study we investigated the effects of whey and pumpkin seed oil on serum biochemical parameters that describe body fat and liver functionality during chronic low-dose alcohol consumption: AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, LDH, TG, TC, HDL, LDL, VLDL, and cardiovascular risk factors: the TG/HDL, TC/HDL (cholesterol ratio) and LDL/HDL (index of atherosclerosis) ratios
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