Effects of Phytosterol Supplementation on Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in a Rat Model

 Phytosterols  are  plant  sterols  with  a  chemical  structure  similar  to  cholesterol.  It  has anti-cholesterol,  anti-cancer  and  anti-oxidant  properties  which  are  probably  mediated by suppression of lipid peroxidation. However, there are limited studies on the effects of phytosterols on lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of phytosterols on plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) of rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride.  The  rats  were  divided  into  four  groups  of  normal  control  (NC),  carbon tetrachloride  (CCl4),  phytosterol  (P)  and  phytosterol+carbon  tetrachloride  (P+CCl4). The  P and P+CCl4  groups  were  pretreated  with  subcutaneous  phytosterol  at  140 mg/kg once weekly for 5 weeks while the NC and CCl4  groups only received olive oil (vehicle). A single oral dose of carbon tetrachloride was then given to rats in the CCl4 and  P+CCl4  groups  to induce  lipid  peroxidation.  After  24 hours,  all  the  rats  were sacrificed and the plasma and tissue MDA were measured. Our results showed carbon tetrachloride had caused significant elevations of the plasma and hepatic MDA of the CCl4 group compared to the NC group. Phytosterol pretreatment (P+CCl4 group) were able to prevent the MDA elevations. Phytosterols treatments in normal rats (P group) were  found  to  reduce  the  hepatic  MDA  level.  The  conclusion  of  this  study  was  that phytosterols  are  effective  suppressor  of  plasma  and  hepatic  lipid  peroxidation.  They have  potential  as  supplements  to  further  reduce  lipid  peroxidation  in  healthy individuals.