THE EFFECTS OF COLD PRESSED COLZA OIL ON THE HEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND LIVER ENZYMES FACTORS OF RAT

Introduction: The increase in the production, consumption and nutritional benefits of oils extracted by cold press method has been studied. The safety of colza oil extracted by this method has been studied and compared with refined colza oil in respect of hematological, biochemical and liver enzymes factors in rats. Materials and Methods: According to the guideline for chemical testing the study of oral toxicity in rodents, 56 rats were divided into five groups: group 1 were fed with the normal diet, group 2 were fed by the normal diet and refined colza oil with the dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight and groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed by the cold pressed colza oil with the doses of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg of body weight respectively, in addition to their normal diet. During the ninety days periods, some factors namely body weight, food and water consumption, toxicity, clinical observations, ophthalmic examinations, were studied. Results: Weight variation, blood parameters and biochemical factors of rats were investigated and accordingly showed significant decreases in triglyceride level and liver enzymes (ALT, AST) among the group fed by the cold pressed colza oil as compared to the group receiving refined colza oil (The difference was considered statistically significant (P<0.05)). Conclusion: Colza oil extracted by the cold press method as described earlier did not affect the hematological, biochemical parameters and liver enzymes in rats.