Effect of dates and gahwa (Arabian coffee) supplementation on lipids in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

The aim of present study to evaluate the effect of dates, gahwa and their combination on lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. The increase intake of dates and gahwa (Arabian coffee) along with a high cholesterol diet in Saudi population as well as increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has raised a concern about the effects of the Saudi diet on CVD risk. Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into six groups (six animals in each) as follows: 1) control (chow), 2) Dates-diet (50% date pulp with chow), 3) Dates-diet + gahwa (replaced with drinking water), 4) cholesterol-diet (1% cholesterol in chow), 5) dates-diet + 1% cholesterol, 6) Dates-diet + gahwa + 1% cholesterol. All the above dietary preparations were made every week and supplemented for 13 consecutive weeks. Plasma lipid profile including total cholesterol, triglycerides (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were estimated. Total cholesterol and TC were estimated in liver, heart and kidney tissues. The high cholesterol-diet caused significant increase in body and organs (liver and kidney) weights as compared to controls. Dates-diet, significantly reduced the body and liver weight that increased by the high cholesterol-diet. Plasma lipids were significantly elevated by high cholesterol-diet supplementation and this increase was significantly decreased by the dates-diet. However, hepatic TC levels further increased when dates were combined with high cholesterol-diet supplementation. Gahwa intake either with dates alone or with high cholesterol-diet was not induced any significant changes in lipid parameters. In conclusion, the dates lowering effects on body weights and plasma lipid profile shows its beneficial affects against atherosclerosis development in humans. Further investigations required for find out its potential constituents that affecting the CVD risk. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.