Abstract

Author(s): Ghislain Mbeng NYEMB, Deffo Tiepma Ngongan Eurydice FLORE, Nkwain Armel YONGHABI, Achidi Aduni UFUAN and Bernard TIENCHEU*

Dietary habits with sea food containing high polyunsaturated fatty acid content have been associated with a low risk of developing obesity. Obesity is associated with increased cardiometabolic risks due to increased copying of western diet and sedentary lifestyle. This research aimed at evaluating the protective effect of Sardinella maderensis oil on obesity, insulin resistance and biomarkers of cardiometabolic dysfunction in obese albino rats receiving high fat diet. The fish oil was extracted by the Bligh and Dyer method followed by analysis of oil quality indices, Percentage Free Fatty Acids (%FFA), Iodine Value (IV), Peroxide Value (PV), p-Anisidine Value (p-AV) and Total Oxidation Value (TOTOX) using the standard methods of the AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). An ethical clearance was obtained in order to carry out in vivo studies. Thirty-six male albino rats were randomly and evenly distributed into six groups of six animals each. These groups were: Normal group (healthy rats fed with normal rodent chow), negative control (obese+250 mg/ kg body weight of distilled water), positive control (obese rats receiving 20 mg/kgBW of Orlistat), test groups 1, 2 and 3 all obese and receiving 250, 500, 1000 mg/kgBW of fish oil respectively by oral gavage. After 28 treatment days, oral glucose tolerance test was performed, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins) and serum markers (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine) were measured using commercial kits. The results from S. maderensis oil quality indices revealed that the FFA content (0.98 ± 0.27%), IV (118.41 ± 5.83 gI2/100g), PV (7.94 ± 0.39 meqO2/kg), P-AV (18.57 ± 0.30) and TOTOX (34.24 ± 0.80) were all within the codex alimentarius commission recommended ranges meaning that oil may be safe for consumption. The fish oil significantly (p<0.05) decreased body weight, food intake and serum lipids (TC, TG and LDL-c) but increased HDL-c. Serum AST, ALT and insulin levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05). HOMA-IR, atherogenic index of plasma and AST/ALT ratio were all significantly decreased (p<0.05) in treated groups. All these results suggested that the oil showed a protective effect against cardiometabolic risks. This data may be useful for the design a preventive plan against obesity and cardiometabolic risks.