The Efficiency of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Bran in Ameliorating Blood and Treating Fatty Heart and Liver of Male Rats

Abstract

The current study focused on testing the hypolipidemic activity of two doses of barley bran on hypercholesterolemic male rats. Twenty-four male albino rats weighing 180–200 gm were divided into four groups. The first group (G1) was the negative control, the second group (G2) was the positive control group fed 2% cholesterol in the diet, and rats of the third and the fourth groups were fed 2% cholesterol and were cosupplemented with 5% and 10% barley bran, respectively, for 8 weeks. The hypercholesterolemic rats of (G2) showed an increase in lipid profile, liver enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, and lipid peroxide and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes, whereas kidney function, fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin total protein, and total bilirubin were not significantly affected compared with the negative control group in G1. Moreover, histology of heart, liver, and kidney of G2 rats showed histopathological changes compared with the negative control. Administration of the two doses of barley bran in G3 and G4 to the hypercholesterolemic rats ameliorated the level of lipids, liver enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB. In addition, the histology of heart, liver, and kidney tissues nearly restored the normal state as in G1.

Comparison between the Hypolipidemic Activity of Parsley and Carob in Hypercholesterolemic Male Rats

“…The hypercholesterolemic male rats (G2) treated with cholesterol (2% w/w for 8 weeks) showed a significant increase in lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipid-cholesterol, and very low density lipid-cholesterol) and a significant decrease in high density lipid-cholesterol. This result is consistent with previous study [6, 7, 32]. The concurrent oral administration of 20% parsley seeds methanol extract in G3 and 20% carob legume methanol extract in G4 to hypercholesterolemic rats for 8 weeks significantly improved the serum lipid profile parameters by decreasing the total cholesterol, TG, LDLc, and VLDLc and increasing HDLc.…”

“…Also, the heart section of hypercholesterolemic rats showed marked degeneration of myocardial muscles with ballooning of cardiomyocytes. This result is consistent with other studies showing that there is a relationship between hypercholesterolemia and pathological alteration of vital organs [7, 38]. The concurrent treatment with 20% parsley seeds methanol extract in G3 hypercholesterolemic rats and 20% carob legume methanol extract in G4 hypercholesterolemic rats for 8 weeks significantly improved the liver tissues and the heart tissue and nearly restored them to their normal state.…”

“…This result is consistent with that of El Rabey et al [6] and Abulnaja and El Rabey [7]. The concurrent treatment with 20% parsley seeds methanol extract in G3 and 20% carob legume methanol extract in G4 for 8 weeks significantly improved the liver functions by decreasing the studied liver enzymes activity.…”

“…Abulnaja and El Rabey [7] stated that lactate dehydrogenase is released during heart tissue damage resulting from hypercholesterolemia. The decrease of LDH as a result of the concurrent treatment with 20% parsley seeds methanol extract in G3 for 8 agrees with previous investigations [37].…”

“…Consumption of soluble fiber such as oat bran and barley bran can lower LDL cholesterol levels [5–7] associated with significant reduction in risk for cardiovascular disease.…”