EFFECT OF TELFERIA OCCIDENTALIS AND VERNONIA AMYGDALINA ON LIVER FUNCTION TEST (AST AND ALT) AND LIPID PROFILE IN PLASMA OF HIGH SUCROSE DIET FED RATS

ABSTRACT

Vegetables and fruit provide a significant part of human nutrition, as they are important sources of nutrients, dietary fibre, and phytochemicals.

Sixty (60) albino rats were used to study the effect vegetables extracts modified diets; grouped into, one group was fed with high sucrose diet while others were fed with normal ratchow. After 3weeks of feeding respective vegetable extracts were introduced into their diets and fed for one week. Liver function test and lipid profile status were analysed on plasma.   This work revealed a significant (p


      CHAPTER ONE

                                           INTRODUCTION

The intake of food which is considered relevant to body’s dietary needs is known as nutrition. If the necessary food substances are not taken or well taken, it can lead to malnutrition. When a diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients, malnutrition will certainly set in, which will expose the individual to series of disease (WHO, 2002; Fasuyi, 2006).

Leafy vegetables are the herbaceous plants whose parts are eaten as supporting food or main dishes and they may be aromatic, bitter or tasteless (Edema, 1987). The utilization of leafy vegetable is part of Africa’s cultural heritage and they play important roles in the customs, traditions and food culture of the African household (Mnzava, 1997). Nigeria is endowed with a variety of traditional vegetables and different types are consumed by the various ethnic groups for different reasons. The nutrient content of different types of vegetables varies considerably and they are not major sources of carbohydrates compared to the starchy foods which form the bulk of food eaten, but contain vitamins, essential amino acids, as well as minerals and antioxidants (Mnzava, 1997; Fasuyi, 2006). According to Okafor (1983), vegetables are the cheapest and most available sources of important proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. Vegetables are included in meals mainly for their nutritional value; however, some are reserved for the sick and convalescence because of their medicinal properties to different parts of the body (Mnzava, 1997). Previous studies have shown that consumption of vegetables rich in antioxidant nutrients lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (Thorogood et al., 1994; Key et al., 1996). A previous study emphasized that consumption of vegetables such as Telfairea occidentalis can cure anemia and Vernonia amygdalina extracts may help suppress or kill cancerous cells (Ayodele, 2005). Excessive consumption of some of these vegetables may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially when the level is below or above the required level in the plasma.

Plasma, a pale-yellow liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension makes up about 60% of the body’s total blood volume (Maton et al., 1993). Lipids and other substances accumulate on arterial wall, forming plague, which occlude the vascular lumen and obstruct the blood flow to vital organs such as the heart, brain, liver, or kidney (Edionwe and Kies, 2001).  Obstruction of blood supply to the heart, brain, liver or kidney cause coronary heart diseases, stroke or kidney failure, as the case may be. High-sucrose diet elevated plasma by increasing triglyceride secretion rate and decreasing fractional catabolic rates.   A previous meta-analysisconcluded that plasma triacylglycerols were an independentrisk factor for cardiovascular disease (Patsch et al., 1992).Since plasma triacylglycerols are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, then diets high in sucrose may be undesirable for the body (Ryu et al., 1992; Wittmann et al., 1997).       

     

Aims of Research

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of the processing methods (Juice and Shaft) on oxidative stress induced by high sucrose diet and the study is aimed at:

·        investigating the effects of Liver function tests (Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate transaminase),

·        investigating the effects of Lipid profile (Triglyceride, Total cholesterol, HDL and LDL), and to

Compare the effects of both Juice and Shaft processing methods, in the Plasma.

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