Effect of pumpkin seed (cucurbita pepo) protein isolate on the antioxidant enzymes in ccl4-induced liver injury in low-protein fed rats
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Date
2007
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Abstract
The effect of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein isolate on the activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCU)-induced acute liver injury in low-protein fed rats were investigated. A group of male Sprague-Dawley rats which were maintained on a low-protein diet for five days were divided into three subgroups. Two subgroups were injected with carbon tetrachloride and the other group with an equivalent amount of olive oil. Two hours after CCU intoxication one of the two subgroups was administered with pumpkin seed protein isolate. All three subgroups of rats were maintained on the low- protein diet for the duration of the investigation. Groups of rats from the different subgroups were sacrificed at 24, 48 and 72 hours after their respective treatments. After five days on the low-protein diet the activity levels of ail four enzymes were significantly higher than their counterparts on a norma! balanced diet. CCI4 intoxication resulted in significant increases in the activity levels of ail four enzymes investigated. The administration of pumpkin seed protein isolate after CCI4 intoxication resulted in significantly reduced
activity levels of all four enzymes, it is concluded that pumpkin seed protein isolate administration was effective in alleviating the detrimental effects associated with protein malnutrition.
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Dissertation presented in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Magister Scientiae (Biochemistry) at the University of Zululand, [2007].
Keywords
Pumpkin seed, Cucurbita pepo