Effects of Brassica Rapa on Fructose - Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats : A Comparative Study

Increased fructose consumption is strongly associated with incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS).This study aimed to elucidate the role of turnip (Brassica rapa) on fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. MS was induced by administration of fructose as 10% solution in drinking water for 8 weeks. Three groups of rats (n =8) were administered fructose as 10% solution in drinking water for 8 weeks. One served as fructose fed control while the remaining two groups were treated with metformin (10 mg/kg/day) and turnip (400 mg/kg/day) for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were withdrawn for estimation of markers related to MS. Analysis of the data was performed by one way Analysis of Variance and subsequent analysis was performed using TukeyKramer test. The P values smaller than 0.05 were selected to indicate statistical significance between groups. Induction of MS was associated with increased body weight gain and elevated levels of blood glucose, MDA, nitric oxide, total triglycerides and total cholesterol. It also reduced levels of blood GSH and liver glycogen. Brassica Rapa attenuated most of the changes associated with MS. It reduced weight gain and blood glucose, MDA, nitric oxide, total triglycerides and total cholesterol. It also elevated blood GSH and liver glycogen. The findings of this study prove the benefits of turnip in fructose-induced model of MS.