Effect of kidney bean consumption on some lipid and haematological parameters of albino rats

This study investigated changes in cholesterol levels and haematological parameters of rats subjected to diets supplemented with kidney bean seeds. The seeds were processed in three parts; the first part was milled raw; the second part was boiled, dried and milled; third part was germinated, dried and milled. The kidney bean seed flour was incorporated into the diet of different groups of rats at 10% inclusion. Thirty male rats were assigned into 5 groups (n=6); and fed for 30 days: A-normal diet, no cholesterol; B, normal diet + cholesterol; C, cholesterol diet+ raw kidney bean; D, cholesterol diet+ boiled kidney bean; E, cholesterol diet+ germinated kidney bean. At the end of the feeding trial, the rats were sacrificed; blood was taken from the jugular vein to determine some lipid and haematological parameters. The values for the plasma lipid profile for rats in groups D and E were significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control; TC (122.26 ± 0.30 and 120.20 ± 0.12 vs 136.82±0.37 mg/dl); TAG (102.72 ± 0.22 and 100.37 ± 0.37 vs 113.98 ± 0.16 mg/dl); LDLC (56.89 ± 0.24 and 44.00 ± 0.12 vs 74.45 ± 0.31 mg/dl); phospholipids (143.66 ± 0.81 and 145.11 ± 0.55 vs 154.39 ± 0.22 mg/dl), the same groups had significantly higher values (p<0.05) of HDLC (46.03±0.34 and 57.04±0.34 vs 39.11±0.46 mg/dl).  Similar trend was found in the liver tissue. Haematological values were significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups D and E rats than in control, PCV (43.60±0.25 and 44.00±0.32 vs 37.80±0.20) %; Hb (14.14±0.05 and14.58±0.04 vs12.20±0.06) mg/dl; RBC (5.82±0.07 and 6.01±0.04 vs 5.02±0.01) x109/L; MCV (75.17±0.62 and 78.78±0.36 vs 67.37±0.55) fl. Processed kidney bean based diet could reduce cholesterol concentrations in plasma and liver of rats and improve their haematological parameters.   Key words: Kidney bean, cholesterol, lipid parameters, haematology, plasma, liver.