Weight change, haematology and lipid profile of normal male Wistar rats fed on high-calorie diet and vegetables

Abstract

Background: The decline in vegetable consumption, some of which are gradually getting extinct because of insufficient information on their health benefits, is a major factor for the rise in the incidence of
nutritional disorders.

Objective: Effect of Amaranthus hybridus, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Senecio biafrae and Corchorus olitorius on the weight, haematology, and lipid profile of rats fed on high-calorie diet.

Methods: The study comprised of six groups of male Wistar rats. Positive control (A) was fed on regular feed and water while the negative control (B) was fed a high-calorie diet. The four treatment groups were given high-calorie diet along with 5 % of one of the four vegetables for five weeks respectively. The weights of the rats were obtained before and after the experiment. The feed and water consumption of the rats were recorded daily. The haematology and the lipid profile were determined at the end of the experiment.

Results: The composition of the feeds was significantly different (p<0.05). The mean weekly water intake (332 ml) and feed consumption (92 g) of the positive control were not significantly different while its mean weight change (22 g) was significant at p<0.05. S. biafrae increased non-significantly the PCV (48.25 %), 9 haemoglobin (16.25 g/dl) and platelet count (289 ×10⁹ / L). A. hybridus lowered the total cholesterol (89.93 mg/dl), triglyceride (45.38 mg/dl) and LDL (77.65 mg/dl) while S. biafrae increased the HDL (44.65 mg/dl) level.

Conclusion: The effect of the high-calorie diet was better ameliorated by A. hybridus and S. biafrae.