ABSTRACT
High protein diet (HPD) intakes have been reported to be an essential dietary tool in weight loss practices, obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. This study was aimed at investigating the possible hemorheological and reproductive effects of high concentrates of plant and animal protein diets in Wistar rats.
Rats were divided into three groups, viz:- Control group (CG; fed with vital grower feed), Animal Protein Diet (APD) Group and Plant Protein Diet (PPD) Group. Protein diet groups were further subdivided into three groups (1, 2 and 3) that were fed for duration of one; two and three months respectively with specific protein concentrate (30, 50 and 65% respectively). Hemorheological parameters such as RBC count, HCT, MCV, WBC count and differentials, Fibrinogen concentration, Relative plasma viscosity, RBC deformability and serum concentrations of FSH, LH and Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone and Prolactin were measured. Histological examination of the gonads and gonadal gene expression of Rhox5, COX-2 and Hox-a7, a10 were done in males and females respectively. All laboratory analysis was done with standard methodologies, while statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism version 5.0.
Results were presented as Mean±SEM for all parameters. P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results from this study revealed that in males, PPD and APD (30% & 50%) induced a significant decrease in RBC count when compared with CG (P<0.05). In males, feeding (1 month) with high APD & PPD significantly increased (P<0.05) RBC deformability when compared with CG. As feeding duration and Protein concentration increases, PPD significantly increased RBC deformability while APD decreases it significantly (P<0.05, respectively). In females, HPD significantly decreases RBC deformability when compared with control groups. Also, APD and feeding with 30% and 50% PPD significantly increased Fibrinogen concentration (FC) when compared with control group while but as duration of feeding increased, PPD significantly decreased FC (P<0.05, respectively). Acute feeding with HPD (30%) significantly increased Relative Plasma Viscosity. While Chronic feeding with HPD significantly reduced RPV (P<0.05 respectively). In males, both PPD and APD significantly increased sperm count and testicular expression of Rhox5 and COX-2 genes when compared with control groups (P<0.05, respectively). Chronic feeding with 30% and 50% APD significantly increases testosterone levels and increase the Interstitial cells of Leydig. Positive correlation exist between COX-2 gene protein expression and testosterone levels in rats fed with 30% and 50% Protein diets. In females, a statistically significant decrease in serum FSH levels and ovarian expression of Hox-a7 gene coupled with ovarian tissue damage in rats fed with APD and PPD when compared with control groups (P<0.05, respectively). Administration (1 month) of APD significantly increases the uterine expression of Hox a10 gene.
Conclusively, HPD potentiates gender specific differential changes in rheological indices. In males, HPD improves markers of fertility irrespective of protein source coupled with an increase in testicular expression of Rhox-5 and COX-2 genes. While in females, it inhibits FSH secretion coupled with marked ovarian tissue degeneration and alterations in gonadal and uterine Hox gene protein expression.
