Protective Effect of some Nuts against Ethanol-induced Pancreatic Injury in Rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of nuts (peanuts, Pistachio and Cashew) supplementation against the complications of alcoholic pancreatitis induced in rats. Forty male albino rats were divided into 5 groups. Group (1): rats were fed on standard diet for 8 weeks (control) , group (2): rats were fed on standard diet for 8 weeks and received ethanol in drinking water (15% v/v) ad libitum for the last 4 weeks (ethanol), groups (3, 4 and 5): rats were fed on standard diet supplemented with (1%) of grounded peanut, pistachio and cashew, respectively for 4 weeks and received ethanol in drinking water (15% v/v) ad libitum for another 4 weeks. The results showed that ethanol administration caused significant increase in plasma glucose, amylase and lipase enzymes activity as well as plasma and pancreatic malondialdehyde level. While plasma insulin, blood and pancreatic reduced glutathione showed a significant decrease. On the other hand nut supplementation resulted in significant amelioration of glucose homeostasis, pancreatic enzymes secretion and antioxidant status. Also peanuts, Pistachio and Cashew before alcohol administration could improve lipid profile status which disturbed by alcohol, that indicated by decrement in triacylglycerols, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol concomitant with increment in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. Our results showed that, supplementation with peanut, pistachio and cashew nuts before ethanol administration may have significant recovery effects on histological changes of pancreas. The histopathological findings of pancreas sections confirmed the biochemical results.