Amounts of Hepatic Glucose and Lipids Induced by Honey Feeding in Wistar Rats
I. E. AwireDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka (Nigeria).
Abstract: Recent findings indicated that a high fructose diet induces dyslipidaemia and accumulation of lipid in the liver. Honey contains high amount of fructose and it’s uses is currently being promoted in diverse ways. Whether honey consumption elicits similar dyslipidaemic effects is clearly documented. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine liver glucose and lipids induced by honey in rats. A total of 49 Wistar Albino rats, of both gender weighing between 60 – 110g were divided into 7 groups (n=7 rats/group). The control rats (group A) were fed with 100% grower s’ mash. The experimental groups (Group B-G) were respectively given feed containing 20%, 30%, 40% honey and fructose quantities equivalent to amounts in 20%, 30% and 40% honey, for four weeks. Results showed that there were increases (p<0.05) in hepatic glucose, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol concentrations in rats fed with honey or fructose compared with the control group. Fructose at higher amounts significantly (p<0.05) reduced hepatic HDL-cholesterol but increased (p<0.05) LDL-cholestgerol. Honey increased (p<0.05) hepatic HDL-cholesterol at 40%, but LDL-cholesterol was minimally elevated. Honey and fructose feeding alike increase the amounts of glucose, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol, but lower HDL-cholesterol level in the liver. The results present a measure of fatty liver and associated fibrotic risk in both groups of experimental animals. The increased hepatic glucose level suggests a degree of oxidative stress. Further studies involving the metabolic activities of the liver during honey feeding are desirable in order to fully document the observed risks.
Keywords: Honey; Lipids; Glucose; Liver; Fructose Back to TOC