Abstract
The present study was performed to evaluate the curative effects of chitosan and the combination of chitosan, Gymnema sylvestre and ascorbic acid (CGA) supplementation on oxidative stress and hypercholesterolemia induced in hypercholesterolemic rats. The plasma lipid levels, transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase activities, glucose, malondialdehyde and whole blood reduced glutathione, the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes and plasma glutathione reductase, glutathioneS-transferase and catalase were examined in hypercholesterolemic rats supplemented or not supplemented with chitosan or CGA. The results indicated that hypercholesterolemic rats fed basal or hypercholesterolemic diets revealed significantly higher mean plasma levels of total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, Atherogenic index, transaminases (ALT and AST), lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde and glucose; in addition, significantly lower mean activities of enzymatic antioxidants and blood reduced glutathione were noted, compared to normal control. However, in hypercholesterolemic rats receiving the CGA supplement diet for two months; all these parameters were significantly better than those in hypercholesterolemic rats receiving basal or hypercholesterolemic diet. On the other hand, non significant improvement was observed by chitosan supplement diet. These results referred to possibility using CGA as curative natural supplement as hypocholesterolemic and antioxidative agents in hypercholesterolemic rats.