EFFECT OF QUAIL (Coturnix Japonica) EGGS YOLK AND ALBUMEN ON ANTIOXIDANT AND LIPID PROFILES IN STRESSED ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Cold and immobilization stressors can generate oxidative stress as well as skeletal muscle fatigue. Free radicals cause oxidative degradation of lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and carbohydrates molecules thereby compromising cell integrity and function. Coturnix japonica egg had been described as being very functional biochemically, due to the essential biomolecules it contains in very regulated quantity. This study was aimed at evaluating the dietary effect of the egg on lipid profile parameters on selected tissues and hepatoprotective effects using liver function indices. The anti -stress properties of the egg yolk and albumen, and feed were determined in selected tissues in male albino rats assaulted with cold immobilization stress induced on them at 4°C for 2 hours to evaluate the effect of the pretreatment with yolk, albumen and feed in amelioration of oxidative stress, while diazepam was used as standard anti-stress drug. The egg yolk and hydrolyzed albumen, and feed extracts were prepare for in vitro evaluations of antioxidant activities which were carried out as typified by ABTS, DPPH and hydroxyl radicals scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, metal Chelating and reducing power assays. Anti-inflammatory activities were performed as typified by inhibition of denaturation of albumin and membrane stabilizing assays. Anti-stress activities were evaluated by lipid profile modulation (HDL, LDL, TRIG. and T. CHOL.) while hepatoprotective activities were determined by liver function indices (ALT, GGT, ALP and AST, direct and total bilirubin, and total protein). Quantitative and qualitative analyses of neutral lipids profile of the yolk (hexane) extract were determined by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The in vitro antioxidant results revealed a significant higher antioxidant activity of the yolk to chelate metal ions and scavenge free radicals than the feed extract while albumen is lowest (p<0.05), however, the albumen showed a greater activity for hydroxyl and ABTS radicals scavenging than the feed extract. All the extracts exhibited competitive activities with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-ibuprofen significantly (p<0.05). The ameliorative impact of diazepam (2.5 and 5.0 mg/ml/kg bwt) was competed-with by yolk (5 and 10 ml/kg bwt) while the albumen (5 and 10 ml/kg bwt) and the feed (5-10mg/kg bwt) had competitive effect (p<0.05). The GC-MS analyses revealed ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to be 2.27 with considerably high n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of 1.99%. The result of the study suggested a natural alternative to orthodox antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-stress agents (drug) which have established side effects.