Supplementation with pumpkin seed oil improves plasma lipid profile and cardiovascular outcomes of female non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats.
Pumpkin (Cucurbita species) seed oil (PSO) is a rich source of phytoestrogens and the aim of this study was to examine the effect of PSO supplementation on the total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure in non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Female rats weighing 220-300 g were divided into non-ovariectomized rats for supplementation with corn oil (control CO; n = 6) or PSO (control PSO; n = 5) and ovariectomized rats for supplementation with corn oil (OVX/CO; n = 6) or PSO (OVX/PSO; n = 5) for 5 days per week for 12 weeks (corn oil 40 mg/kg or PSO 40 mg/kg given orally). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured weekly. Blood was collected at the end of the period for plasma lipid assays. Control PSO had lower TC, LDL-C, triglycerides and higher HDL-C than the control CO. The OVX/CO had higher TC, LDL-C, triglycerides and lower HDL-C than the control CO and these changes were prevented in the OVX/PSO rats. PSO supplementation also resulted in lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized rats. It is concluded that PSO supplementation can prevent changes in plasma lipids and blood pressure associated with inadequate oestrogen availability.
Gossell-Williams
M
M
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies. maxine.gossell@uwimona.edu.jm
Lyttle
K
K
Clarke
T
T
Gardner
M
M
Simon
O
O
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides