Hypolipidemic Effects of Irvingia gabonensis - Supplemented Diets inMale Albino Rats

Cardiovascular disease has become a disease of global concern. The present study investigated the effect of an Irvingia gabonensis - supplemented diet on cardiovascular disease risk. 24 male albino rats divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each were used. Diets containing varying amounts of Irvingia gabonensis seeds were prepared and fed to the rats for 4 weeks. Lipid profiles of the plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density liporotein (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were determined. Generally, Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in diets resulted in reduced organ/body weight ratios. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol levels and artherogenic indices were significantly reduced. The results of this study indicate that Irvingia gabonensis consumption has athero-protective potential as evidenced in the reduction in atherogenic indices in the rats. Results also suggest that the mechanism involved may be through reduction in cholesterol synthesis and transport to the peripheral tissues as observed in the decrease in LDL-cholesterol.