Avaliação da farinha de semente de abóbora (Cucurbita maxima, L.) no trato intestinal e no metabolismo glicídico e lipídico em ratos

Abstract

This study was made on recent weaned male Wistar rats. The animals were divided in four groups and received control and experimental rations containing Whole, Sifted and Residual-Pumpkin Seed Flour (PSF), for ten days, in order to evaluate the biologic effects of the PSF on the intestinal tract and on the metabolism of the rats. Growth, ingestion, fecal weight, cecal pH and serum triglicerides, cholesterol and glucose were measured while the animals were on diets containing the respective PSFs on the rate of 30% of the total starch and dextrin in the control diet. The PSFs were chemically characterized using VAN SOEST, 1963 method modified by MENDEZ et al, 1985a to determine alimentary fiber, the moistness, ashes, rough protein and lipids were determined according to the Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL, 1985) and glicides were calculated by the difference between the other analysis. The results showed that the PSFs are good sources of alimentary fibers, proteins and lipids. In 100 grams of Whole, Sifted and Residual-Pumpkin Seed Flour (PSF) we found respectively 29,49; 24,88; 47,52 of insoluble fiber. Diets containing Whole, Sifted and Residual PSF showed similar ingestions and body weight increases. The rats on diets containing PSFs showed increases on fecal volume and matter (p > 0,05). The experimental groups fecal weight was 1,7 2,4 times greater when compared to control and the dried fecal matter was 1,7 2,5 times grater. The group receiving Residual PSF showed increased wet and dried fecal weights by 2,0 2,5 times when compared to control. During the whole experiment the wet fecal matter weight ranged from 2,9 to 3,0 (Control); from 5,2 to 6,2 (Whole PSF); from 5,4 to 5,8 (Sifted PSF) and from 6,0 to 7,0 (Residual PSF). Once, the dried fecal matter weight ranged: from 2,1 to 2,5 (Control); from 4,2 to 4,9 (Whole PSF); from 4,0 to 4,5 (Sifted PSF) and from 5,0 to 5,5 (Residual PSF). We can point out the fecal matter of those who received diets containing Residual PSF, whose wet and dried fecal matter weight showed an increase ranging 2,0 and 2,5 times the control, respectively. The experimental animals´ insoluble fiber excretion was expressive as much as in the beginning as in the end of the experiment while the average initial and ending experimental animals excretions were 2,68 and 3,16 g, respectively. Only the Residual PSF provided a significant fall (p < 0,05) on the cecal pH. The group receiving Whole PSF containing diet showed significant serum glucose decrease (p < 0,05), while those who received Sifted PSF containing diet showed significant serum triglycerides decrease (p < 0,05). The Whole, Sifted and Residual PSFs decreased serum cholesterol by 10, 26 and 36% respectively, when compared to the control group. In regard to these PSF´s properties, we concluded that it is able to act increasing the fecal weight and volume, providing laxative effect, besides decreasing significantly serum glucose and triglycerides. .