Authors : Chukwunonso E.C.C. Ejike, Amarachi H. Udensi and Lawerence U.S. Ezeanyika
Abstract: Oil-seeds are said to be useful in supplementing nutritional requirements, especially in resource-poor countries. Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), an oil-seed is known to be a good source of protein and energy but the effect of its consumption on the lipid profile and blood glucose concentration is not known. Twenty four adult male albino rats were divided into 4 Groups I, II, III and IV. Group I served as the control group while Group II, III and IV received 5, 15 and 45% boiled T. occidentalis supplemented diets for 21 days. The fasting blood glucose concentration of all rats was assayed by the glucose oxidase method while the lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations) in their sera was assayed by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterols were estimated using standard formulae. Serum total cholesterol increased from 2.31±0.18 mmol L-1 in Group I to 3.27±0.52 mmol L-1 in Group IV while serum HDL-cholesterol increased from 1.33±0.20 mmol L-1 in Group I to 1.88±0.25 mmol L-1 in Group IV. The results show a progressive increase in the level of hyperlipidemias with increasing doses of T. occidentalis, though rats in Group II had similar values on all counts with the control group. Only rats in Group IV became significantly (p<0.05) hyperglycaemic, relative to the control. Very high consumption of the seeds of T. occidentalis may result in derangements in lipid and glucose metabolism and is therefore discouraged.
Chukwunonso E.C.C. Ejike, Amarachi H. Udensi and Lawerence U.S. Ezeanyika, 2010. Dietary Incorporation of Boiled Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) Seeds 2: Alterations in Serum Lipid Profile and Blood Glucose Concentration of Rats. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 146-149.