EFFECT OF OLIVE OIL ADMINISTRATION ON SOME HEMATOLOGIC AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN FEMALE RATS

Abstract

Objective: Data on effect of Olive oil intake on various hematologic and metabolic parameters in humans or animals are scanty. Thence we attempted to assess the effect of oral administration of varying doses of this oil on various hematologic and metabolic parameters in female rats. Material and Methods: Groups of adult female Sprague Dawley rats were given oral doses of 1 ml, 2 ml and 4 ml olive oil twice per day respectively. Control group of rats were given tap water. Oral feeding of oil was done continuously for a period of 20 days and at the end of the study period the animals were lightly anaesthetized with ether and sacrificed to collect blood samples for analysis. Various hematologic parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), platelets, lymphocytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed by a Hematology Blood Analyzer while metabolic parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, creatinine and protein were analyzed by specific analytical kits. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were assessed by specific analytical kits. Statistical analysis of data was performed using a SPSS data analytical package. Results: Oral administration of olive oil for 20 continuous days did not significantly alter any of the hematologic parameters studied, compared to control group even when the oil was administered at a relatively massive dose of 4 ml/day. Administration of olive oil appeared to decrease WBC, Hb, platelet and lymphocyte blood concentrations in treated rats, but the difference was statistically significant (ANOVA Test; p<0.05) only in the case of platelet concentration. Olive oil administration did not alter the concentrations of protein, cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, uric acid and creatinine in treated groups of rats significantly (Student t-test, p<0.05) compared to those of control rats. SOD level and GPX level in blood of oil- treated animal groups were not significantly different (ANOVA test; p<0.05) compared to control group. Conclusion: We conclude that oral administration of olive oil in female rats, even in massive doses does not cause any significant alterations in hematologic and metabolic parameters and may offer potential benefit, by the effect of reducing the platelet levels. More detailed studies however are warranted before extrapolating these results to human situations.