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Effect of pumpkin seed ( Cucurbita pepo ) protein isolate on the activity levels of certain plasma enzymes in CCl 4 ‐induced liver injury in low‐protein fed rats
Author(s) -
Nkosi C. Z.,
Opoku A. R.,
Terblanche S. E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1685
Subject(s) - cucurbita pepo , cucurbita , ccl4 , biology , enzyme , blood proteins , liver injury , botany , chemistry , biochemistry , pharmacology , carbon tetrachloride , organic chemistry
The effects of pumpkin seed ( Cucurbita pepo ) protein isolate on the activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )‐induced acute liver injury in low‐protein fed rats were investigated. A group of male Sprague‐Dawley rats maintained on a low‐protein diet for 5 days were divided into three subgroups. Two subgroups were injected with carbon tetrachloride and the other group with an equivalent amount of olive oil. Two hours after CCl 4 intoxication one of the two subgroups was administered with pumpkin seed protein isolate. All three subgroups of rats were maintained on the low‐protein diet for the duration of the investigation. Groups of rats from the different subgroups were killed at 24, 48 and 72 h after their respective treatments. After 5 days on the low‐protein diet the activity levels of all four enzymes were significantly higher than their counterparts on a normal balanced diet. CCl 4 intoxication resulted in significant increases in the activity levels of all four enzymes investigated. The administration of pumpkin seed protein isolate after CCl 4 intoxication resulted in significantly reduced activity levels of all four enzymes. It is concluded that pumpkin seed protein isolate administration was effective in alleviating the detrimental effects associated with protein malnutrition. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.