Project Materials

EFFECT OF TELFERIA OCCIDENTALIS AND VERNONIA AMYGDALINA ON LIVER AND PLASMA ELECTROLYTES IN HIGH SUCROSE DIET FED RATS

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

High sucrose diets have been linked to the development of a variety of metabolic illnesses, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Havel, 2005). Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose that is quickly absorbed into the system, resulting in hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia (Le et al., 2016).

Chronic sucrose consumption can cause insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation, all of which can lead to metabolic diseases (Yang et al., 2018).

Electrolytes from the liver and plasma are essential for maintaining bodily homeostasis. Electrolytes are electrically charged ions that play important roles in a variety of physiological processes such as muscle and nerve function, acid-base balance, and fluid balance (Burtis and Bruns, 2012).

Alterations in liver and plasma electrolytes can cause a variety of metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and renal failure (Adrogue and Madias, 2001).

Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina are two popular vegetables in Nigeria, and they have been shown to provide several health benefits (Akinmoladun et al., 2007; Ayo et al., 2008).

Telferia occidentalis, also known as “Ugwu” in Nigeria, contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and has been shown to have hepatoprotective and hypoglycemic characteristics (Akinmoladun et al., 2007; Ezejiofor et al., 2019).

Vernonia amygdalina, popularly known as “bitter leaf” in Nigeria, is high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-diabetic and antihypertensive characteristics (Ayo et al., 2008; Ijeh et al., 2011).

Several research have looked at the health advantages of Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina separately. However, there is insufficient study on the combined effect of Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina on liver and plasma electrolytes in rats on a high sugar diet.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the effect of Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina on liver and plasma electrolytes in rats fed a high sugar diet.

The aim for this study is that the combination supplementation of Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina may have a synergistic effect on liver and plasma electrolytes, which could