Biological evaluation of some modified snacks

This investigation aims to assess the effect on health of some modified snacks prepared by addition of different food items known to be rich either in protein or compounds with health value. A basic formula based on snacks available in the local market was modified by adding each of eggs, whey protein, chickpea, soybean, wheat germ, carrot, orange peel or strawberry. The modified products were evaluated through assessment of their effect on lipid pattern and possible atherosclerosis by following the level of plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides, the state of oxidation stress through estimation of R.B.C's malondialdehyde [MDA] and plasma superoxide dismutase enzyme activity [SOD] and the state of the liver and bile duct through determining the level of gamma -glutamyl transferase [gamma -GT]. Groups of rats were given either the basic formula of snack or the modified ones together with a selectively high cholesterol level. It was observed that the modified formulas succeeded to protect against the increase in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Also they protect against the state of oxidation stress confirmed by decreased MDA level and with no hazard on the liver indicated by the normal or even low activity of gamma -GT. It is concluded that snacks available in the local market can be modified to better ones through addition of different food items. The modified snacks are of high protein content and can protect against hyperlipidemia and oxidation stress with no harmful effect on liver

Biological effects of feeding abused frying oils by rats

The results given in the present study indicated that feeding frying oils to rats caused no appreciable decrease in body weight gain and feed efficiency. Oils which were used for frying for 32 hours, showed highly increasing levels for serum triglycerides as well as serum total cholesterol except those containing sunflower seed oil or its blends which showed nonsignificant differences for serum total cholesterol. Serum GOT indicated nonsignificant changes, whereas those of serum GPT showed higher levels for sunflower heated oils, only. Serum alkaline phosphatase values were higher for cotton seed oils heated for 32 hours. The results revealed no noticeable changes in the liver and heart weights as well as kidney of rats fed heated oils, while addition of rape seed oil resulted adverse effect on spleen weight. The histological changes of different organs of rats fed the frying oils showed that feeding cotton seed oil and its blends caused severe portal reaction in liver with necrobiotic changes in hepatic tissue. Moderate focal pericarditis in the heart, renal cast in the kidney and slight inflammatory reaction in the liver were shown. The results revealed that using sunflower oil is more safe in the food of human being than cotton seed oil

hypoglycaemic effect of different extracts of ambrosia maritima, L- compositae

The effect of the different successive extracts of the herb of Ambrosia maritima, L. family compositae widely grown in Egypt on postprandial and fasting blood glucose were tested in rats. The results showed that 1.5-hour postprandial blood glucose was reduced significantly after administration of the total water, 50% alcoholic or petroleum ether extracts. The 2-hour postprandial blood glucose was reduced significantly after the administration of either the petroleum ether or the extract. The fasting blood glucose was reduced only on giving either the total water or the alcoholic extract. Methylene chloride extract produced no significant change on postprandial blood glucose. The effect of petroleum ether extract and 50% alcoholic extract on plasma insulin levels 2 hours and 1.5 hours, respectively, after glucose ingestion was determined. The results showed no significant change of insulin level in both cases. Phytochemical and chromatographic study of the extracts revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids and coumarins

Effect of addition of arginine and lysine to casein diets on serum lipids metabolism in rats

The effect of feeding casein diets supplemented by amino acids on serum lipids was studied on rats. Three groups of rats were fed casein diets supplemented by lysine or arginine, while the third was fed unsupplemented diet for 8 weeks. The results indicated that rats fed lysine added diets exhibited decrease in body weight comparable with casein only, whereas those fed the arginine showed significant increase for body weight. A significant decrease for serum total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides as well as phospholipids were also shown for the group fed the arginine diet, HDL-cholesterol showed no change in supplemented casein by lysine; however, largely increased triglycerides, while total lipids, total cholesterol were fairly increased