Chibuzo Carole Nweze*, Olajide Nurudeen Rasaq, Ini Patrick Ekpe and Otito Adaeze Nweze
Mushrooms have been widely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes, but the possible regulation of serum electrolytes concentration and amelioration of kidney functions as well as lipid profile and liver function enzymes by oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) has not been verified. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were used for this study and were randomly distributed into five (1-5) groups. Hyperlipidemia was induced in groups 1-4 with prednisolone (0.1ml/200g b.wt of rats) orally while group 5 animals served as positive control. This was done repeatedly for 7days. Then, the rats in Group 1 and 3 received dried oyster mushroom (20g and 30g) respectively per day and rat chow with water, Group 2 received pioglitazole, (0.1ml/200g), while Group 4 and 5 received rat feed for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples and tissues were harvested for the determination of lipid profile, serum electrolytes, kidney function test and liver function enzymes by standard methods. From the result obtained, there were non-significant (P>0.05) decreases in the levels of serum creatinine, urea and uric acid. However, serum levels of AST of groups 1 and 3 were significantly reduced (p<0.05) when compared to the negative control. There were also non-significant reduction in the lipid profiles of the Pleuroteus ostreatus (group 1 and 3) and pioglitazole (group 2) treated groups compared to the negative control. The present study suggests that dietary supplement P. ostreatus provides health benefits by positively modulating serum electrolytes imbalance, lipid profile, and liver and kidney functions of Wistar rats.
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