Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
Oladiji, A.T., Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria; Abodunrin, T.P., Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria; Yakubu, M.T., Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
The effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum nut oil-based diet on the growth performance and some biochemical constituents of rat tissues was investigated following a feeding period of 6 weeks. The results revealed that the volume of water taken, the amount of feed consumed and the weight gained by the animals maintained on the nut oil-based diet were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from those fed on soybean oil-based diet. The reduction in the activities of ALP, GOT and GPT in the liver and heart of animals fed on the nut oil-based diet was accompanied by increase in the serum enzymes. The nut oil-based diet significantly reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL-C whereas triglycerides and atherogenic index increased. The serum LDL-C level of the nut oil-based diet fed animals compared well with those of soybean oil-based diet. These alterations suggested that adverse effects have occurred, possibly by altered membrane permeability of the hepatocytes and cardiac cells. Similar alterations in the serum lipids of animals maintained on nut oil-based diet also portends cardiovascular risk. Although, T. conophorum nut oil did not adversely affect growth performance and the feeding appetite of the animals, it is not completely 'safe' for consumption. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
alanine aminotransferase; alkaline phosphatase; aspartate aminotransferase; cholesterol; edible oil; high density lipoprotein; low density lipoprotein; soybean oil; triacylglycerol; animal experiment; animal tissue; article; atherogenic diet; biochemical composition; cell membrane permeability; cholesterol blood level; concentration (parameters); controlled study; diet supplementation; enzyme activity; enzyme blood level; feeding; female; fluid intake; food analysis; food safety; heart; lipid blood level; liver; male; nonhuman; nut; rat; Tetracarpidium conophorum; tissue growth; toxicity testing; weight gain; Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Diet; Eating; Euphorbiaceae; Female; Indicators and Reagents; Male; Nigeria; Nuts; Plant Oils; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Soybeans; Triglycerides; Animalia; Glycine max; Rattus; Tetracarpidium conophorum