Endocrine Abstracts

Hyperlipidemia refers to a group of inherited and acquired illnesses in which the body’s lipid levels are abnormally high. Obesity is a public health concern with its prevalence being significantly greater among women. Being a medical disorder, obesity is associated with metabolic dysfunction. Overweight people tend to develop a resistance to insulin -- a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the ameliorative effect of diets formulated with three different leafy vegetables (Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentia and Amaranthus hybridus) on hyperlipidemia, a metabolic dysfunction associated with induced obesity in female wistar rats. The phytoconstituents of the vegetables were quantified and the active compounds were identified with Gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Thirty-five female wistar rats were completely randomized into 7 groups. Effect of continued feeding with high-fat-diet was observed. All the vegetable-based formulated diets significantly reduced body weight, with Telfairia occidentalis producing the most pronounced effect. Serum triglycerides ranged from 0.90–4.48 mmol/l; the HFD + Telfairia occidentalis group significantly (P < 0.05) lowered triacylglycerol levels, whereas HFD alone elevated them. Serum HDL ranged from 0.08–0.85 mmol/l, with HFD + formulated with three different leafy vegetables (Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentia and Amaranthus hybridus showing increased levels. In the heart lipid profile, untreated HFD-induced rats showed markedly elevated LDL (0.95–8.43 mmol/l) compared to vegetable-treated and orlistat-treated rats. The HFD + formulated with three different leafy vegetables (Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentia and Amaranthus hybridus group produced a significant increase in serum insulin (P < 0.05). The vegetable diets showed divergent effects on reproductive hormones, with T. occidentalis significantly reducing testosterone and progesterone levels. In conclusion, the formulated feeds had an ameliorative effect on metabolic dysfunctions associated with hyperlipidemia in rats and can therefore be explored in the management of obesity and other diseases related to it.