title: Renal and Hepatic Function in Hypercholesterolemic Rats Fed Jamaican Bitter Yam (Dioscorea polygonoides).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We reported that Jamaican bitter yam (Dioscorea polygonoides) has antilipemic potential in rats; however there is limited data on the toxicological profile of the yam. We therefore investigated the effects of bitter yam consumption for 6 or 12 weeks on renal and hepatic function in rats fed a high (4%) cholesterol diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four rats were divided into six groups (n = 4); three of which were used for each investigation (6 or 12 weeks). One group was administered 4% cholesterol diet, while the yam group had the cholesterol diet supplemented with 5% bitter yam. The control group was fed standard rat chow. Liver and kidney function tests were performed on serum, liver and kidney. Histological studies were conducted on liver samples. Acute toxicity tests were performed in rats and mice administered a single high dose of bitter yam (10 g/kg).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activities of liver and kidney AST and ALT differed (p ≤ .02) between control rats and those fed cholesterol with bitter yam for 12 weeks. Albumin to globulin ratio was reduced (p = .03) in rats fed cholesterol with bitter yam for 6 weeks as compared to the control group. Serum urea concentration was higher (p < .05) in rats fed bitter yam as compared to normal chow for 6 weeks. The cholesterol diet caused extensive fat deposition in liver cells; however this was inhibited by co-administration of bitter yam.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term administration of Jamaican bitter yam may induce slight changes in renal and hepatic functions.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Marsha-Lyn
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: McKoy
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asemota
authors.forename: Oswald
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Omoruyi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary
keywords: Bitter yam; Dioscorea polygonoides; cholesterol; enzymes; kidney; liver; mice; rats; toxicity