Loranthus micranthus Leaves Extract Attenuates Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in Fructose Fed Rats.

ABSTRACT

Aims: Today there are concerns about possible adverse effects of dietary sugars. This study was set up to compare the metabolic dysfunction induced by dietary fructose in male rats with that of the female, investigate the modulatory effect of Loranthus micranthus on this dysfunction and compare this with that of nifedipine. Study Design: Fifty six rats assigned to four groups of 7 male and 7 females (hosted in different cages) per group were used in the study. The water of group B, C and D rats were supplemented with 10% fructose for the first two 2 weeks and was later increased to 20%, 30% and 40% fructose after every 2 other weeks respectively. Nifedipine (10mg/Kg) was administered to group C while L. micranthus (600mg/Kg) was orally administered to group D. All administrations were carried out daily as a single dose after which the rats were sacrificed and the serum analyzed for the lipid components. The serum glucose level was also measured after every 2 weeks interval. Results: Fructose administration increased serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, VLDL-C, atherogenic and coronary risk indexes but decreased serum HDL-C significantly. The increase was greater in the male rats. Serum glucose was not altered during the first 6 weeks of study but was observed to be significantly increased above the initial value after 8 weeks of study. Both L. micranthus and nifedipine prevented this metabolic dysfunction but the effect was more pronounced with L. micranthus extract. Conclusion: The study concludes that male subjects are more prone to metabolic dysfunction of fructose than the female group and that L. micranthus is efficacious in preventing this defect in both male and female subject.