ABSTRACTObjective: Although studies suggest that nut consumption is associated with a variety of beneficial health outcomes, however, there is a dearth of datain the literature to document this effect for roasted cashew nut kernel (RCNK). Our objective was to determine whether dietary consumption of RCNKcould improve lipid profile, hepatic and renal status in rats.Methods: A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups: A control and three experimental groups fed with roasted cashew nutsupplementeddietatdifferentconcentrationsfor28consecutivedays.Aftertheexperimentalperiod,ratswereanesthetized withether andretroorbitalbloodsampleswerewithdrawn.Serumsamples wereobtained toanalyzelipid profile,markersof oxidativestress,hepatic andrenalstatususingstandardmethods.Results: The supplemented diet significantly decreased the liver function parameters in rats. All the concentrations of RCNK in diets significantlyreduced serum creatinine and urea levels. However, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly increased,whereas oxidative stress markers and malondialdehyde were improved by the supplemented diet, although insignificantly, as compared with thecontrol.Conclusions: These results suggest that RCNK may have beneficial health effects on the liver and kidney status although marked improvement wasnot demonstrated in oxidative stress markers. However, the significant increase in serum total and LDL-C indicates the need for further studies.Keywords: Roasted cashew nut, Anacardium occidentale, Lipid profile, Liver enzymes, Oxidative stress.
Effects of ramadan lifestyle on lipid profile and oxidative stress markers in adult males