Effect of Blueberries on Lipid Parameters of Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the nation with an associated annual health care cost of approximately 448 billion. In women, risk for CVD drastically increases when they reach menopause, partly due to elevation of cholesterol. With the side effects associated with hormone replacement therapy and other prescription medications, dietary modifications play an important role in reducing cholesterol and other CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women. This study examines the effects of blueberry (BB) on modulating lipid profile in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Blueberry is a rich source of phenolic compounds and has a high antioxidant capacity. Sixty-two five-month old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham) or Ovx and randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups (n=12-13/group), Sham +control, Ovx +control, Ovx+ 2.5% BB, Ovx +5.0% BB, or Ovx +7.5%BB. After 90 days of treatment, rats were necropsied and tissue samples were collected. Total cholesterol increased due to Ovx but none of the doses of BB were able to prevent the Ovx- induced rise in serum total cholesterol. Triglycerides and liver cholesterol were not altered by Ovx or dietary treatment. The results of this study indicate that the hypercholesterolemic effects of ovariectomy are not prevented by BB.