Glycemic and Biochemical Effects of Phytosterol in Female Wistar Rats

Phytosterols are like cholesterol and maintain structural components of plant cell membrane. The present study aims to investigate the glycemic and biochemical effects of phytosterol using Wistar rats as experimental models. Fifteen (15) female Wistar rats were divided randomly into three (3) groups, each consisting of five (5) rats. Group I served as control and rats in this group were administered distilled water. Groups II and III served as the treatment groups and received 1000 and 2000mg/kg body weight of phytosterol respectively. Phytosterol was orally administered daily for twenty-eight (28) days in the morning hours (8-9am daily). During the study, serum blood glucose level was determined twice via tail vein puncture technique: firstly, before the administration of phytosterol (pre-treatment blood glucose: Day 0); secondly, at the end of the study (post-treatment blood glucose: Day 29). At the end of treatment, (Day 29), blood samples were collected via direct cardiac puncture and stored in lithium heparin tubes for analysis of biochemical indices. Findings from this study indicate that phytosterol treatment resulted in a significant and dose dependent decrease in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde levels in the experimental groups relative to control (p < 0.05). Conversely, a significant and dose dependent increase was observed in the mean animal weight, high-density lipoprotein, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase concentrations among the experimental rats compared to control (p<0.05). Evidence from this study suggests that phytosterol treatment lowers blood glucose level, decrease lipid profile and basal oxidative stress markers by decreasing glycemic indices, cardiovascular risks and oxidative disruptions. This effect is probably achieved via beta cell stimulation and decreased reactive oxygen species radicals.