Effect of antioxidants supplementations in salt-induced dyslipidaemia in albino rats

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with many risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia. The current work evaluated the effects of antioxidants supplementation on salt-induced dyslipidaemia in albino rats. Rats were divided into 10 groups of 7 rats each. Groups 2-10 were fed 8% salt diets for 5 weeks while group 1 served as control and were fed normal rat feed. Water was provided to all the groups ad libitum. The animals in groups 3-10 were then supplemented with vitamin A; vitamin C; vitamin E; Cu; Mn; Zn; vitamins A, C and E combined and Cu, Mn and Zn combined respectively for additional 4 weeks simultaneously with salt loading. Group 2 was not supplemented and served as the negative control. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and glucose were estimated. The results indicated that the vitamins reduced significantly serum lipid profiles and the atherogenic index by up to 80%. The serum glucose levels of the rats supplemented with antioxidant vitamins and minerals were also significantly (P<0.05) lowered compared with the negative control group. These results suggest that the reduction of serum lipid profile and glucose level may be due to regulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism and increased insulin sensitivity as a result of the supplementations. It may thus suggest that the antioxidants may provide protection against CVDs and metabolic syndrome in salt-induced dyslipidaemia in rats.