The high rate of cardiovascular disease is due to excessive intake of animal protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the replacement of the soybean as a cost effective protein on the blood parameters. 110 immature female Balb/c mice three weeks of age were randomized, into eleven groups of 10 animals each based on following diets: 1) low protein, 2) full protein without soybean, 3) full protein with 20% soybean, and 4) full protein with 40% soybean,. The animals received their diet orally on a daily basis for three and six months. At the end of the study period, the blood samples were collected and blood parameters were measured. The data were analyzed with SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results: In the groups that received 20% and 40% soybean diet, the cholesterol, LDH, glucose, creatinine and urea levels showed meaningful decrease, and total protein level showed a significant increase in comparison with the other groups ( P < 0.01). However, the mean values of ALT, AST, ALP, triglyceride, calcium and phosphorus did not show significant change among experimental groups ( P < 0.01). Results of the present study indicated that soybean as a cost effective protein could be suitable replacement for animal protein and soybean may have beneficial effects on health like reduction of cholesterol, LDH and urea.
Nowadays, advances in the medical field have controlled many diseases and has ended up rise of life expectancy. Since a large number of plants are used in herbal medicine, the study of the effects of plants could be very beneficial in the treatment of diseases [
In recent years, consumption of plants and vegetable proteins instead of animal proteins has been taken into consideration because of their fewer side effects. Soybean bears many benefits and can form a basic diet. Russian researchers were among the first to realize the benefits of soybean. They found that soybean bears high protein, essential amino acids, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins and fiber. It can also be used to reduce heart disease [
The effects of several compounds in the diet, including beta-glucan, sterols and ethanol plant, and garlic extract on reduction of blood cholesterol have been studied, however, the beneficial effects of soybean protein on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type II has attracted more attention. In addition, soybean protein via lowering the serum total cholesterol and LDL can reduce the incidence of diseases caused by the consumption of the diets rich in saturated fats [
The beneficial effect of soybean on blood lipids is due to its specific amino acid. Methionine and low ratio of lysine to arginine, a parameter that decreases cholesterol, are constituent components of soybean protein [
However, the main cause of the positive effects of soybean protein has not been conclusively established and needs further investigation. Thus, due to the lack of scientific research and to introduce far-reaching effects of medicinal plants by scientific study, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of soybean meal on blood parameters in females mice, and also comparison of cholesterol lowering effects of soybean protein as a source of plant protein with animal protein in mice.
110 immature female mice of Balb/C initially weighing 12 - 15 g, were purchased from Tehran Pasteur Institute and maintained in the animal room under controlled temperature (22˚C ± 1˚C), humidity and air flow condition, with a fixed 12 h light-dark cycle with adequate access to food and water. The mice were randomly randomized into 11 groups of 10 animals each (
Row | Groups | Duration of treatment with diet | Diet |
---|---|---|---|
1 | A | 3 months | Protein deficiency (Food 1) |
2 | B | 3 months | Complete protein (Food 2) |
3 | C | 3 months | Complete protein-Soybean protein with 20% (Food 3) |
4 | D | 3 months | Complete protein-Soybean protein with 40% (Food 4) |
5 | A | 6 months | Protein deficiency-Soybean protein 13.5% (Food 1) |
6 | B | 6 months | Complete protein-23% soybean protein (Food 2) |
7 | C | 6 months | Complete protein-Soybean protein accounted for 20% (Food 3) |
8 | D | 6 months | Soybean protein is a complete protein as it accounted for 40% (Food 4) |
9 | E | 6 months | 3 months Diet A (Food 1) 3 months of diet B (Food 2) |
10 | F | 6 months | 3 months Diet A (Food 1) 3 months of diet C (Food 3) |
11 | G | 6 months | 3 months Diet A (Food 1) 3 months of diet D (Food 4) |
Diet | Protein deficiency (13.5% protein) (gr) | Complete protein (23% protein) (gr) | 20% of soybeanbeans (gr) | 40% of soybeanbeans (gr) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Corn | 700 | 450 | 562 | 562 |
Soybeanbean meal | - | - | 200 | 400 |
Rapeseed meal | 150 | 229 | 100 | - |
Sunflower Meal | 112 | 283 | 100 | - |
Oyster shell | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Calcium phosphate | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Mineral supplements | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Vitamin supplements | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Salt | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
Diet 1: Diet deficient in protein―the protein content of 13/5% (Food 1).
Diet 2: Diet with complete full protein―the protein content of 23% (Food 2).
Diet 3: Diet containing 20% of soybean protein (Food 3).
Diet 4: Diet containing 40% of soybean protein (Food 4).
After 24 hours from the last food intake, the blood samples were taken from heart. The samples undergone centrifugation in 1000 rpm and the sera were isolated from blood, stored at −20˚C. the blood parameters such as glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphorus, calcium, ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), UREA, CR (Creatinine), TOP (Total Protein) were determined in the laboratory using the kit by Elisa and enzymatic methods.
Experimental results were expressed as means ± SD. Statistical analyses were performed using PASW 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Model assumptions were evaluated by examining the residual plot. Bonferroni test for pairwise comparisons was used. The differences were considered significant when P < 0.05.
During the study period, the rats physiological conditions in terms of appearance, body weight, exercise and intake of food and water were controlled and specific differences were observed among different groups.
The results of changes in triglycerides, glucose, AST, ALT, ALP, TOP and phosphorus in the blood sera of rats treated with Food 1, Food 2, Food 3 and Food 4 (respectively called groups of three months A, B , C and D) did not show significant changes (P > 0.05). The serum cholesterol mean values in group D was significantly lower than the A and B groups (P < 0.01). The mean values of glucose, urea and LDH levels were significantly lower in groups D and c compared to the A and B groups (P < 0.01). Also the mean value of creatinine was significantly decreased in group D compared to group B (P < 0.01). In addition, calcium level in group C, showed significant increase compared to group B (P < 0.01)
The results of changes in triglycerides, AST, ALT, ALP, calcium and phosphorus in the blood sera of rats treated with Food 1, Food 2, Food 3 and Food 4 (respectively called Group of six months a, b, c and d) a did not show significant change
Parameters | Group A Dietary protein deficiency | Group B Complete Protein Diet | Group C 20% soybean diet | Group D 40% soybean diet |
---|---|---|---|---|
Glucose (mg/dl) | 68.58 ± 17.34 | 62.58 ± 6.47 | 53.90 ± 5.48* | 55.08 ± 1.54* |
Total protein (g/dl) | 5.18 ± 0.22 | 5.32 ± 1.17 | 5.95 ± 0.54 | 5.93 ± 0.60 |
Creatinine (mg/dl) | 0.20 ± .08 | .53 ± 0.13 | 0.40 ± 0.08 | 0.26 ± 0.160* |
Cholesterol(mg/dl) | 112.28 ± 14.05 | 117.70 ± 20.71 | 86.77 ± 20.53 | 83.03 ± 16.06* |
LDH (U/L) | 6372.0 ± 58.26 | 6907.1 ± 37.64 | 5581.6 ± 47.90* | 5689.1 ± 47.79* |
Tri glyceride (mg/dl) | 112.28 ± 14.05 | 112.17 ± 26.72 | 111.43 ± 15.50 | 112.53 ± 25.73 |
Urea (mg/dl) | 48.63 ± 4.07 | 65.33 ± 7.28 | 36.23 ± 10.43* | 40.58 ± 12.14* |
ALT (U/L) | 201.00 ± 49.78 | 378.83 ± 30.84 | 206.50 ± 10.86 | 263.33 ± 98.03 |
AST (U/L) | 1119.0 ± 43.44 | 3003.3 ± 97.67 | 2574.6 ± 37.7 | 1237.1 ± 26.53 |
ALP (U/L) | 269.8 ± 78.76 | 139.0 ± 53.54 | 220.5 ± 121.60 | 225.0 ± 10.26 |
Calcium (mg/dl) | 5.82 ± .91 | 3.73 ± 2.92 | 6.48 ± 0.30* | 5.85 ± 1.11 |
*P <0.01 vs. other groups.
(P > 0.05). The mean values of cholesterol and LDH in the sera of mice of groups C and D were significantly decreased compared to groups A and B (P < 0.01). The mean values of urea and creatinine in groups C and D were significantly lower than those of group B (P < 0.01).The mean value of glucose in groups C and D showed significant reduction compared to that of group B (P < 0.01). While TOP mean value in group D significantly was higher than groups A and C (P < 0.01) (
The results of changes in cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine, LDH, AST, ALT, serum calcium and phosphorus in the blood of mice treated with F1 + F2, F1 + F3 and F1 + F4 (respectively called Groups of combined six months E, F and G) did not show significant differences (P < 0.05). The ALP showed significant decrease in group G compared to that of Group E (p < 0.01), and serum TOP value of groups F and G showed significant decrease compared to that of group E (P < 0.01) (
Medicinal plants due to their easier access, fewer side effects, cost effectiveness and less toxic effects are considered as an ideal alternative for chemical agents [
The large number of deaths occurs due to―cardiovascular diseases that could be because of animal fat consumption rich in cholesterol and LDH. Therefore, consumption of vegetable protein is being increased every day. Soybean is a widely used vegetable seed [
Parameters | Group a Dietary protein deficiency | Group b Complete Protein Diet | Group c 20% soybean diet | Group d 40% soybean diet |
---|---|---|---|---|
Glucose (mg/dl) | 38.00 ± 12.86 | 78.00 ± 32.61 | 39.00 ± 11.69* | 33.00 ± 7.97* |
Total protein (g/dl) | 8.52 ± 1.50 | 6.03 ± 0.19 | 7.15 ± .99 | 12.07 ± 5.15* |
Creatinine (mg/dl) | .0.28 ± 0.07 | 0.53 ± 0.13 | 0.40 ± 0.08* | 0.27 ± 0.16* |
Cholesterol (mg/dl) | 123.83 ± 9.98 | 157.50 ± 14.22 | 116.00 ± 15.87* | 120.83 ± 5.74* |
LDH (U/L) | 6511.0 ± 43.8 | 6540.0 ± 33.22 | 6233.8 ± 56.18* | 164.83 ± 72.23* |
Tri glyceride (mg/dl) | 118.66 ± 5.27 | 155.66 ± 59.46 | 159.08 ± 47.70 | 164.83 ± 45.90 |
Urea (mg/dl) | 48.78 ± 3.27 | 67.25 ± 7.38 | 39.88 ± 14.62* | 40.33 ± 12.71* |
ALT (U/L) | 200.33 ± 46.50 | 451.00 ± 57.57 | 203.50 ± 94.33 | 289.17 ± 10.50 |
AST (U/L) | 1129.8 ± 63.76 | 3113.17 ± 85.02 | 2089.83 ± 14.79 | 1326.0 ± 30.78 |
ALP (U/L) | 235.8 ± 21.9 | 103.2 ± 18.78 | 203.0 ± 13.82 | 274.0 ± 14.43 |
Calcium (mg/dl) | 6.17 ± 0.93 | 5.57 ± .96 | 6.25 ± 1.21 | 6.48 ± 1.14 |
Phosphorus (mg/dl) | 8.82 ± 1.85 | 11.42 ± 3.37 | 12.300 ± 4.22 | 11.85 ± 2.44 |
*P <0.01 vs. other groups.
Parameters | Group E Full-protein diet + protein deficiency | Group F +20% soybean protein deficient diet | Group G +40% soybean protein deficient diet |
---|---|---|---|
Glucose (mg/dl) | 35.67 ± 8.73 | 40.00 ± 11.64 | 35.67 ± 12.35 |
Total protein (g/dl) | 9.78 ± 1.48 | 7.23 ± 0.30* | 7.00 ± 0.40* |
Creatinine (mg/dl) | 0.4667 ± .10 | 0.4167 ± 0.09 | 0.3667 ± 0.19 |
Cholesterol (mg/dl) | 142.67 ± 21.05 | 146.50 ± 56.28 | 115.66 ± 18.55 |
LDH (U/L) | 6040.8 ± 74.38 | 6129.3 ± 56903 | 5791.0 ± 35.62 |
Tri glyceride (mg/dl) | 50.20 ± 50.61 | 178.17 ± 39.12 | 171.17 ± 33.67 |
Urea (mg/dl) | 946.67 ± 11.32 | 61.29 ± 5.00 | 49.13 ± 13.27 |
ALT (U/L) | 117.50 ± 77.56 | 809.16 ± 79.93 | 855.83 ± 83.75 |
AST (U/L) | 1853.8 ± 83.13 | 1560.5 ± 91.25 | 1487.6 ± 56.57 |
ALP (U/L) | 234.5 ± 21.65 | 181.83 ± 57.57 | 163.83 ± 21.53* |
Calcium (mg/dl) | 5.91 ± 1.02 | 6.57 ± .87 | 6.33 ± 1.37 |
Phosphorus (mg/dl) | 15.13 ± 2.69 | 14.0 ± 2.37 | 13.23 ± 1.54 |
*P <0.01 vs. other groups
showed a significant decrease in blood cholesterol levels than the control group. The soybean as a cost effective protein, can be substituted for animal proteins because it reduces blood serum cholesterol. The cardiovascular diseases are growing worldwide due to increase in the cholesterol and LDL as the main parameters of mortality [
In this, it has been demonstrated that that lecithin reduced total cholesterol, and significant reduction in levels of HDL cholesterol were also observed [
In another study, it was found that soy diet can significantly reduce the serum triglycerides value. However, the consumption of animal protein raised the triglyceride level [
It had also been stated that consumption of diets containing soy proteins significantly reduced urea. They concluded that consumption of soy protein could modify the risk factors for heart disease, reduce protein excretion in 24 h and reduce urinary urea nitrogen [
They also found that diets containing soy protein caused significant reduction in the serum levels of urea that may be due to certain amino acids which reduced urea production. The fact that deamination and conversion of co2 to urea occurs in liver, it could be concluded that less deamination and conversion of co2 to urea take place, hence, mean value of blood urea nitrogen is reduced. This reduction in urea values was in agreement with findings of others [
Due to presence of low amounts of the methionine in soybean protein, it was expected that following consumption of soy, the serum creatinine levels would reduce, however, no significant change in serum creatinine was observed. In contrary, animal proteins increased blood serum creatinine among different groups.
In the studies of Soroka [
Others indicated that consuming the soy because of its isoflavones can cause a significant decrease in serum glucose of diabetic patients. One reason for the effect of soy isoflavones can be due to increase or activation of mitochondria in skeletal muscle that cause reduction in blood sugar or can increase insulin as an antidiabetic hormone [
AlT and AST enzymes are released from the liver parenchyma cells and are the most reliable markers of liver disease due to chronic injury of liver cells and necrosis [
Some studies also show an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in the group receiving soy diet for 6 months [
The increase in values of the liver enzymes AST is not an specific marker for the hepatic damage [
The results of the present study showed that phosphorus intake in diets containing soy foods were lesser than in diets containing the animal protein. This might be due to insufficient intake of phosphorus in the study period or low levels of phosphorus in soy products [
Various studies suggest the effects of soy on the absorption of minerals such as calcium from the intestines. Numerous studies have shown that soy bears the highest phytic acid that could inhibit the absorption of calcium in the intestine, however, where fermented soy is consumed in long-term, it almost could reduce the phytate soybean and increase calcium absorption from the intestine. The present study showed that the amount of calcium in the group of 20% soybean consumer, within three months was increased compared to the group of free soy protein consumption. This finding was consistent with the those of others [
Based on the findings of the present study, soy as an inexpensive protein can be replaced by animal protein. In addition, the effects of soy on reduction of blood serum cholesterol, LDH and urea levels as the harmful factors that can cause various diseases, seems essential in the diet. However, Overuse of soy is not recommended.
Minaei, M., Fazelipour, S., Tootian, Z. and Minaei, M. (2017) The Effect of Cost Effective and Useful Diets on Blood Parameters in Female Mice. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 8, 474-484. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2017.85033