AISHA QAMAR . IRAM QUDDUS . HEMANT KUMAR
ABSTRACT | Full Text Pdf
Objective: Changes in life style and diet are becoming increased risk factors for a number of diseases like fatty liver, early onset of non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and cardiovascular diseases. Not only saturated fat diet, but increased amount of polyunsaturated fats can also lead to these diseases. Adaptations in daily routine with increased physical activity and addition of certain food ingredients in diet have been sought for, to reduce the harmful effects of high-fat diet. Garlic, a common food item, has been known for its cholesterol lowering effects. So the present study was undertaken to observe if garlic can play any role in minimizing the harmful effects of high-fat diet on liver.
Methods: Fifty adult albino rats, weighing from 200-240 gram were taken for this study. The rats were divided into 5 groups according to dietary regimen, Group A received control diet, Group B received high saturated fat diet (SFD, 20 gm butter in 100 gm of diet) and Group C received high-unsaturated fat diet (UFD, 20 ml corn oil in 100 gm of diet), Group D received high SFD with fresh garlic (20 gm butter with 6 gm garlic in 100 gm of diet) and Group E received high UFD with Garlic (20 ml corn oil with 6 gm of Garlic in 100 gm of diet) for 8 weeks, at the end of which they were sacrificed, blood samples were taken for serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and tissue slides were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for morphometric study.
Results: There was marked increase in serum ALT and ALP, with increased hepatocyte diameter and decreased nuclear diameter in rats receiving high fat diet, in both butter and corn oil groups, but more in group B. There was a reduction in serum ALT and ALP levels, with a reduction in hepatocyte diameter, and increase in nuclear diameter in rats receiving garlic along with butter and corn oil.
Conclusion: This study has proved that use of fresh garlic along with high-fat diet minimizes the harmful effects of high fat diet on liver to a great extent. It also shows that unsaturated fats, such as corn oil are less harmful to liver as compared to saturated fats, such as butter when used in same amount.