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.
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies. maxine.gossell@uwimona.edu.jm
M
M
Gossell-Williams
K
K
Lyttle
T
T
Clarke
M
M
Gardner
O
O
Simon
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