Peanuts improve blood glutathione, HDL-cholesterol level and change tissue factor activity in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

Abstract

Background: The inverse association of peanut consumption and risk markers of CHD (lipids) has been reported however health professionals are still concerned whether hyperlipidemic subjects advised to eat peanuts will have increased serum lipid levels. Tissue factor (TF), the major regulator of normal haemostasis and thrombosis, plays a critical role in haemostasis in all tissues. Aim of the study: To investigate the effects of peanut consumption on lipid profile, blood Glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), haematologic parameters and TF activities in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: 32 Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each: 1-Control 2-Control+peanut 3-Hyperlipidemic and 4-Hyperlipidemic+peanut group. At the end of 12 weeks, blood samples were used to evaluate lipid profile, haemostatic parameters, GSH, TBARS and tissue samples were used for the determination of TF activities. Results: Peanut consumption increased blood GSH both in the control and hyperlipidemic groups; increased HDL-cholesterol and decreased TBARS in the hyperlipidemic group. The addition of peanut to the diet did not change blood lipids, protrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time or fibrinogen levels significantly both in the control and hyperlipidemic groups. It affected TF activities differently in both groups. It decreased brain and aorta TF activity but increased spleen and kidney TF activity in the control group. It led to significant increases in the TF activity of kidney, spleen and aorta and a significant decrease in the TF activity of brain in the hyperlipidemic group. Conclusion: Peanut consumption improved GSH and HDL-C levels and decreased TBARS, without increasing other blood lipids in experimental hyperlipidemia. Nevertheless the mechanism of the effect of peanut consumption on the TF activity of tissues remains to be determined.