Biological and biochemical study on shark cartilage

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of shark cartilage powder [SCP] on some physiological parameters in the experimental rate. Thirty male albino rates Sprague Dawley strains of an average weight [120-13g] aged 12 weeks were divided into five group 6 rats each. The first group was control fed standard diet only. The second, diet added with 0.5%, 1 %, 2.5% and 5% cartilage powder respectively for 6 weeks, at the end of experiment, blood samples were collected and the organs were removed then subjected to biochemical analysis. Data showed non .Significant increase in body weight gain with the increase of SCP concentration in rats' diet. There was also non-significant increase in food intake with the increase of SCP proportion compared to CG level. There was no significant elevation in relative liver weight levels in SCP groups 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0% in comparison to CG level. Data showed that no significant increase in relative kidney and spleen weight levels in all SCP experimental groups. Results showed Significant decrease in total cholesterol of tested rats, serum LDL and triglyceride levels with the increase of SCP proportion in rats' diet starting with 1 % up to 5% , while serum HDL increased significant with the increase of SCP proportion in rats' diet. Results showed no significant decrease in AST levels in all SCP supplemented rat groups. ALT levels showed no Significant increases in SCP groups 0.5% , 1.0% and 5.0% , however there was slightly non. Significant in ALT value in rats fed 2.5% of SCP in comparison to ALT level in CG. Rats fed 0.5% and 2.5% of SCP showed no significant decrease of ALP levels, when ALP increase non-significant at SCP feed concentration 1.0% at 5.0%. Kidney function in all SCP groups was within normal as CG. There were no significant decrease in creatinine levels in SCP feed groups starting with 1.0% up to 5.0% and no significant decrease in urea levels in all SCP feed groups, in comparison to CG levels. Authors are in need to encourage further researches in the same field that may reflect new evaluation of SC therapeutic effect