Biological studies on the protective role of artichoke and green pepper against potential toxic effect of thermally oxidized oil in mice

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was designed to evaluate oocyte competence including quality, meiotic progression and expression of ERK2 gene and activities of liver enzymes [ALT, AST and gamma-GT] in female mice fed diets containing sunflower oil repeatedly used in frying processes [FO]. The protective role of artichoke and green pepper against such potential dangers were also studied. Results revealed that mice fed FO diet had a significant decrease in number of good collected oocytes compared with those fed normal oil [NO] diet. Mice fed FO diet and artichoke extract at two levels, 0.5% [FO-A1] and 1% [FO-A2] as drinking water or FO diet plus dried ground green pepper at two levels, 5% [FO-G1] and 10% [FO-G2] had a significant increase in number of good collected oocytes compared with those fed FO diet. Animals fed FO-A1 or FO-G1 diets had the highest percentage of good oocytes. A statistically significant increase in the percentages of mature oocytes occurred in mice fed FO-A1, FO-A2, and FO-G1 diets as compared to those fed FO diet. The animals fed FO-G2 diet had a non-significant increase of percentages of mature oocytes than the animals fed FO diet. The expression of ERK2 gene was high in ovary tissues collected from female mice fed NO, FO, FO-A1, or FO-G1 diets. However, the ERK2 gene expression was low in mice fed FO-A2 or FO-G2 diets. Biochemical assay showed that mice fed FO diet had significant decrease in AST and ALT activities. A significant increase in enzyme activity of gamma- GT compared with those fed NO diet was also observed. A statistically significant increase in activities of AST and ALT enzymes was observed in mice fed FO-A2, FO-G1 and FO-G2 diets. However, mice fed FO-A1, FO-A2, FO-G1 and FO-G2 diets had significant decrease in the activity of gamma-GT enzyme compared with those fed FO diet. The present study demonstrated evidence that prolonged intake of diets containing sunflower oil repeatedly used in frying processes could be considered a cause of induced abnormalities in reproductive materials and liver enzymes activities of female mice. However, artichoke and green pepper proved to be suitable protectors against hazards of such toxic materials