The protective effect of sulforaphane in rats fed on high cholesterol high fructose diets

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the protective role of sulforaphane in rats exposed to high cholesterol and high fructose diet.

Design: Randomized experimental study.

Animals: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats.

Procedures: Rats were allocated in groups of six animals to one of four groups. The first group was kept as a control group in which rats were fed on a basal diet for 15 weeks (Control), while in the second group (Control + SFN) rats were fed on the basal diet for 11 weeks then a sulforaphane (SFN) was given (0.5 mg/kg/day) orally for additional 4 weeks. The third group was the high cholesterol high fructose (HCF) where rats were fed on the basal diet mixed with a solution of cholesterol (1 % ) and fructose (10 %) for 15 weeks, while in the fourth group (HCF + SFN) high cholesterol high fructose diet and sulforaphane rats were fed on the basal diet mixed with a solution of cholesterol (1 %) and fructose (10 %) for 11 weeks then a SFN was given orally (0.5 mg/kg/day) for another 4 weeks. Serum and plasma samples were collected to determine the glycemic status, lipid profile, antioxidant status, oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, and apoptotic marker, alongside liver tissue samples for histopathological examination.

Results: Results revealed that sulforaphane alleviated the oxidative damage (decreasing MDA and NO) and improved the antioxidant status (reducing glutathione), and enhanced glycemic status through decreasing plasma glucose concentration and decreasing caspase 9 concentration.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: It can be suggested that sulforaphane (SFN) can improve insulin resistance (I.R) and improve serum lipid profile.