Control of Weıght, Insulın Resıstance and Oxıdatıve Stress in Rats Fed Hıgh-Fat Dıet Usıng Aframomum melegueta (Allıgator Pepper)

Abstract

Consumptions of diets rich in fat is very predominant due to the sensational values it adds to the foods. If overconsumed, such foods lead to metabolic diseases. Inclusion of alligator pepper in the diets as means of ameliorating such diseases was investigated. Thirty-six (36) Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 received standard diet, high fat diet (HFD), 1% and 2% alligator pepper-supplemented standard diet respectively. Groups 5 and 6 got 1% and 2% alligator pepper-supplemented HFD respectively. The groups were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks. Blood glucose level, body weights, activities of antioxidant enzymes and serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and insulin were determined. homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was computed. The groups that received alligator pepper-supplemented HFD had significantly (p<0.05) higher final average weight, insulin level and HOMA-IR in comparison with the control but lower ın these  parameters when compared with the HFD-group. All the groups fed supplemented diets had significantly (p<0.05) higher serum catalase activities in comparison with the HFD group. Also, all, except the group fed 1% alligator pepper-supplemented HFD had significantly (p<0.05) higher superoxide dismutase activities than the HFD group. It is concluded that including the pepper in the standard diet may have no special advantages in respects of the studied parameters, but could decrease weight gain, improve insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress defense mechanism in rats fed HFD.