Effect of “edible clay” (takere) suspension on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic indices of normal Wistar rats

Abstract

This study was undertaken to ascertain the effect of an aqueous suspension of a commonly available preparation of edible clay (“takere”) on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic indices of normal Wistar rats. Ninety-five adult Wistar rats of average weight of 100 g were assigned into seven groups. Group 1 (Baseline) was immediately sacrificed at the commencement of study; Group 2 (Control) daily received distilled water, orally; and Groups 3 to 7 received via the same route (per body weight), 125 mg/kg (T125), 250 mg/kg (T250), 500 mg/kg (T500), 1,000 mg/kg (T1000), and 2,000 mg/kg (T2000) of the takere suspension, respectively, for 28 days. In week 1, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the levels of serum triglyceride (by T250, T1000, and T2000), VLDL cholesterol (by T250, T1000, and T2000), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP; by T250) and significantly (p < 0.05) raised the levels of serum HDL (T250), LDL (T250 and T2000), non-HDL (T2000) cholesterols, atherogenic coefficient (AC; T2000), cardiac risk ratio (CRR; T2000), and Castelli's risk index II (CRI-II; T2000) of the rats. In week 2, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the levels of serum triglyceride (T2000), HDL (T125, T500, T1000, and T2000), VLDL (T2000) cholesterols and significantly (p < 0.05) raised levels of serum LDL (T125, T1000, and T2000), non-HDL (T125, T1000, and T2000) cholesterols, AC (T125, T500, and T1000), CRR (T125, T500, and T1000), CRI-II (T125 and T1000), AIP (T125, T500, and T1000) of the rats. In week 4, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) raised the levels of serum total (T500 and T2000), HDL (T2000), non-HDL (T500 and T1000) cholesterols, AC (T500), CRR (T500), and CRI-II (T500). This result indicates that the consumption of takere suspension may have adverse effects on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic indices of Wistar rats, at least at the doses administered in this study.