ABSTRACT
Hyperlipidemia is viewed as a primary mediator of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of camel milk on Poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemic Wistar rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing between 150-200g were randomly assigned into six groups of five animals each; Group I: administered distilled water, Group II: Hyperlipidemic negative control, Group III: Hyperlipidemic positive control treated with Atorvastatin (20mg/kg) and Group IV, V and VI:Hyperlipidemic groups treated with camel milk 0.25ml/kg, 0.50ml/kg and 1ml/kg respectively. After three weeks, blood samples drawn fordetermination of Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride(TG),High Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Low Density Lipoprotein(LDL), Malondialdhyde(MDA), Catalase(CAT) Superoxide Dismutase(SOD) and Gluthatione Peroxidase(GPx), Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, A/G ratio, Alkaline Phospatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and serum electrolytes(Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3-) respectively were carried out. Total cholesterol(174.68 �46.92 mg/dL)and triglyceride (91.38�5.52mg/dL) level in Wistar rats were significantly (p< 0.05) reduced in 1ml/kg treated groups compared to the hyperlipidemic negative control group (727.24 �126.59 mg/dL and 203.16 � 27.64mg/dL) respectively. Camel milk at the dose of 1ml/kg hadhighest lipid lowering activity especially LDL (from414.09�25.96mg/dL to 114.75�42.83mg/dL) while at 0.25ml/kgit showed an increase in the level of HDL (from 35.97 � 2.43mg/dL to 208.72�7.88 mg/dL).Camel milk at doses of 0.25ml/kg and 0.5ml/kg showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of SOD(9.25�0.51 U/ml and 11.04� 1.14 U/ml) compared to the hyperlipidemic negative control (3.25 � 1.05U/ml). There was also significant (p <0.05) decrease in the serum levels of total protein and globulin at 0.25ml/kg(5.55�0.56g/dL, 2.41�0.51mg/dL) and 1ml/kg (6.42�0.53g/dL, 3.43�0.60g/dL)and significant increase in A/G ratio in all camel milk treated groups (1.33�0.11, 0.87�0.11 and 0.94�0.11) compared to the hyperlipidemic negative control group (11.23�1.25g/dL, 7.75�1.28g/dL and 0.49�0.08)respectively. Serum ALT, ASTand HCO3- were significantly decreased in all camel milk treated groups (6.40�1.03u/L, 10.20� 2.26U/L and 11.20� 1.39U/L), (20.00�3.17U/L, 28.40� 4.51U/L and 33.20� 5.51U/L)and (24.40�1.80 mmol/L, 26.8�1.68 mmol/L and 26.00�0.70 mmol/L) compared to the hyperlipidemic negative control group (42.50� 4.54U/L, 122.75�22.45U/L and 40.50�0.50 mmol/L)respectively. In conclusion, camel milk demonstrated a potenthypolipidemic, anti-oxidantand hepatoprotective effect onPoloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemicWistar rats.