Modulating effects of cowpea incorporated diets on serum lipids and serum antioxidant activity in Wistar rats

Abstract

The effect of incorporation of four Sri Lankan cowpea cultivars in experimental diets on serum lipids and serum antioxidant activity (AOA) in Wistar rats was investigated. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats (five groups, five per group) were fed with 20 % fat as a control diet (CD) in comparison with 20 % fat enriched diets containing 20 % whole cowpea powder from cowpea cultivars [Bombay (BO), Waruni (WA), Dawala (DA) and MI 35 (MI)] for six weeks. A lower serum total cholesterol concentration (TC) (p < 0.05) and a higher (p < 0.05) serum AOA in WA, BO, and MI diet fed rats were observed compared to the CD fed group. Higher serum AOA in WA and BO fed rats was accompanied by the higher AOA and total phenolic content (TPC). A lower (p < 0.05) serum low density lipoprotein concentration (LDL-C) was observed in all cowpea diets fed rats, and lower (p < 0.05) serum triacylglycerol (TG) and higher (p < 0.05) high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels were observed in WA and MI fed groups, respectively compared to CD fed groups. Cowpea incorporated experimental diets modulate serum lipids and serum AOA in Wistar rats.