Beta-Carotene: Positive Effect on Oxidative Stress, Lipid Peroxidation, Insulin and Leptin Resistance Induced by Dietary Fat Consumption

Beta-carotene (βC), an abundant natural antioxidant in fruits and vegetables may possess the Ability to modulate oxidative stress and leptin-insulin signaling. This study was designed to evaluate the biochemical effect (hormonal and oxidative enzyme markers) of βC on Wistar rats fed high dietary fat. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of five rats each. Group A was taken as the control and received distilled water, Group B received high-fat diet of (60% fat and 40% rat chow), Group C received 300 mg/kg body weight (bw) of βC, Group D received high-fat diet for 12 weeks and was treated with 300 mg/kg bw of βC for 2 weeks, Groups E received 300 mg/kg /bw of βC for 2 weeks and then received high-fat diet for 12 weeks while Group F received high-fat diet for 12 weeks and was treated with 150 mg/kg bw of βC for 2 weeks. At the end of the experimental period of 16 weeks. The animals were humanely sacrificed, and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture, Leptin and insulin hormonal assay and oxidative enzyme markers were evaluated using the respective standard methods. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0 at a value of P<0.05. The result showed the mean values of leptin, insulin and Malondialdehyde (MDA)were higher for group B when compared to the rest of the groups (P<0.05) but this increase was reversed following βC administration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), has decreased values in group B, these values were increased upon administration of βC (P<0.05). When compared to group A, group C showed increased value for the variables SOD, CAT and is equal to A in the variable insulin. Group F is greater than group D and E for the variable leptin, MDA and equal to group D (P<0.05). The findings of this present study suggest that β carotene extract at high dose can be very effective in treating oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, insulin and leptin resistance.