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Effects of Phytosterol Supplementation on Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in a Rat Model

Vol. 6 No. 1, 2011

Original article

Author

Nazrun AS, Nur Azlina MF, Norazlina M, Kamisah Y, Qodriyah MS, Azma AY, Alini M

Abstrak

Fitosterol adalah sterol tumbuhan yang mempunyai struktur kimia menyerupai koles- terol. Ia mempunyai kesan anti-kolesterol, anti-kanser dan anti-oksida yang mungkin disumbang oleh perencatan peroksidasi lipid. Bagaimanapun, kajian mengenai kesan fitosterol ke atas peroksidasi lipid adalah terhad. Tujuan kajian ialah untuk menentukan kesan fitosterol ke atas malondialdehid (MDA) plasma dan organ pada model tikus yang terdedah kepada karbon tetraklorida. Tikus kajian dibahagikan kepada empat kumpulan iaitu Kawalan normal (NC), Karbon tetraklorida (CCl4), Fitosterol (P) dan Fi- tosterol + karbon tetraklorida (P+CCl4). Kumpulan P dan P+CCl4 menerima pra-rawa- tan fitosterol secara subkutaneous pada dos 140 mg/kg sekali seminggu selama 5 minggu, sementara kumpulan NC and CCl4 hanya menerima minyak zaitun (vehikel). Satu dos oral karbon tetraklorida diberikan kepada tikus kumpulan CCl4 dan P+CCl4 untuk mengaruh peroksidasi lipid. Selepas 24 jam, kesemua tikus dikorbankan dan MDA plasma dan organ-organ diukur. Seperti jangkaan, karbon tetraklorida telah meningkatkan aras MDA plasma dan hepar kumpulan CCl4 berbanding kumpulan kawalan normal. Pra-rawatan fitosterol (kumpulan P+CCl4 ) berjaya menghalang peningkatan MDA tersebut. Rawatan fitosterol pada tikus normal (kumpulan P) telah menurunkan aras MDA hepar. Rumusan kajian ialah fitosterol adalah efektif sebagai perencat peroksidasi lipid. Ia berpotensi sebagai suplemen untuk mengurangkan peroksidasi lipid pada individu yang sihat.

Kata kunci

fitosterol, hepar, karbon tetraklorida, malondialdehid, peroksidasi lipid

Abstract

Phytosterols are plant sterols with a chemical structure similar to cholesterol. It has anti-cholesterol, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant properties which are probably mediated by suppression of lipid peroxidation. However, there are limited studies on the effects of phytosterols on lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of phytosterols on plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) of rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride. The rats were divided into four groups of normal control (NC), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), phytosterol (P) and phytosterol+carbon tetrachloride (P+CCl4). The P and P+CCl4 groups were pretreated with subcutaneous phytosterol at 140 mg/kg once weekly for 5 weeks while the NC and CCl4 groups only received olive oil (vehicle). A single oral dose of carbon tetrachloride was then given to rats in the CCl4 and P+CCl4 groups to induce lipid peroxidation. After 24 hours, all the rats were sacrificed and the plasma and tissue MDA were measured. Our results showed carbon tetrachloride had caused significant elevations of the plasma and hepatic MDA of the CCl4 group compared to the NC group. Phytosterol pretreatment (P+CCl4 group) were able to prevent the MDA elevations. Phytosterols treatments in normal rats (P group) were found to reduce the hepatic MDA level. The conclusion of this study was that phytosterols are effective suppressor of plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation. They have potential as supplements to further reduce lipid peroxidation in healthy individuals.