The effect of table beet extract on hyperlipidemy

Introduction: Table beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. esculenta var. rubra) extract contains a lot of bioactive agents, and metal elements. The high K, Mg, Mn, and Zn contents of the root are beneficial in physiological point of view.

Our aim was to examine the effect of betanin and polyphenol rich natural extract on liver function in normo- and in hyperlipidemic rats.

Methods: Serum parameters (AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, CHOL TG, GLUC), plasma and liver chemiluminescent intensity (CHI), H-donating ability (HDA), reducing power (RP) and free SH-group (SH) were determined with spectrophotometry and luminometry. Metal ion contents of the liver were measured with ICP-AES. Wistar rats were divided into control diet fed (n=5), fatty rich diet fed (n=5) groups and table beet treated normolipidemic (n=7) and hyperlipidemic (n=7) groups. The dose of lyophilised extract was 2g/bwkg daily for ten days. Animals were exsanguinated in Nembutal narcosis.

Results and discussion: Table beet was not toxic in this high concentration. Beneficial significant difference was established in ALP, ALT, CHOL and TG both in normo- and in hyperlipidemic treated animals compared with controls. As a compensatory effect, plasma-SH, RP and HDA were decreased under antioxidant treatments in both diets, although these parameters were elevated in the liver of hyperlipidemic rats. CHI of liver was significantly lowered in table beet treated animals, than in adequate controls. Al and Ca concentration were decreased and Cu, Fe concentrations were increased in both treated groups, Mg and Mn concentrations increased only in normolipidemy + treated animals in the liver.

Conclusion: Table beet is a good liver protecting betanin, polyphenol and iron source. We suppose, that table beet is a good alimentary factor in anaemia and its lipid lowering effect is beneficial in obesity.

This study was supported by ETT 002/2003 and NKFP-IB/047/2004 projects.