Improving Effect of Dietary Oat Bran Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Induced By Hyperlipidemic Diet

Many epidemiological studies support the involvement of oxidative stress in pathogenesis and progression of many diseases such as hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Oats (Avena sativa, Linn.) are rich in antioxidants and have cholesterol-reducing effect. This study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and antioxidant activity as well as the prophylactic and curative effects of oat bran (2.70 g. kg -1 b.w. day -1 ) on oxidative stress induced by hyperlipideamic diet comparing with simvastatin (3.6 g. kg -1 b.w.day -1 ) as reference agent. Rats fed on hyperlipidemic diet supplemented with cholesterol, cholic acid and thiouracil (CCT, 3:1:0.5) exhibited significant elevation in hepatic antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GPx and GST) activities and lipid peroxide (MDA), and a significant depletion in reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Oat bran was able to maintain or ameliorate these changes to nearly normal levels and reveals its prophylactic and curative effects on oxidative stress associated with hyperlipidemia. Oat bran has nearly similar potent antioxidant effect as simvastatin. These beneficial effects could be attributed to the antioxidant activities of bioactive ingredients in oat bran. In conclusion, oat bran supplementation exhibited a powerful antioxidant potential and, thus, reduce incidence and prevent atherosclerosis through a reduction in oxidative stress induced by hyperlipidemia in rats. (Ola S Mohamed, Mostafa M Said, Zeinab Y Ali, Hanan A Atia and Heba S Mostafa. Improving Effect of Dietary Oat Bran Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Induced By Hyperlipidemic Diet. World Rural Observations 2010;2(3):60-69); ISSN: 1944-6543 (Print); ISSN: 1944-6551 (Online). http://www.sciencepub.net/rural .