Metabolic syndrome in adult male rats induced by feeding beef tallow-enriched homemade diet with fructose-containing drinking water

Biochemical changes associated with the administration of aqueous pulp extract of Irvingia gabonensis fruit on adult male Wistar rats

“…Plant secondary metabolites play significant roles in combating oxidative stress-related diseases because of their antioxidant potentials [22]. In the study, the presence of the phytochemical constituents in the extract has been reported in other studies [21,22]. Flavonoids, which have been shown to have strong antioxidant properties, inhibit oxidative stress, and quenching free radicals in the system [23].…”

“…The potential effects of the extract on the lipid profile may be associated with the decline in the synthesis of cholesterol and its metabolism, as well as the expression of signal receptors of LDL [37]. LDL plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis, especially after their oxidation while HDL reverses cholesterol transport and transfer of cholesterol esters from cell membranes which free cholesterol to the core of the HDL and inhibits the oxidation of LDL [2,21].…”

“…Blood samples of the rats were collected on days zero (0), seven (7), fourteen (14), and twentyone (21) through ocular puncture for biochemical analysis. The blood samples were collected in plain tubes and then centrifuged at 2000 rpm after which the serum was separated and kept in the refrigerator for 3 weeks at a temperature of 8 o C for biochemical analysis at the end of the experiment.…”

“…The total bilirubin was determined by the method described by [20] using a test kit. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were determined following the method described by [21].…”