HIGH-PROTEIN BAR SUPPLEMENTED WITH CHIA SEED IMPROVES LIPIDEMIC PARAMETERS IN WISTAR RATS

Chia seed can be considered as a functional food due to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially omega 3 and 6, and dietary fibers. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the high-protein diet bars (PB) supplemented whit chia grain on the biochemical profile of male rats. Wistar male rats (Rattus norvegicus), aged 3 months, were housed individually in cages and kept under room temperature conditions (24±1ºC). The rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 8/Group): Group I- chow enriched with chia seed; Group II – chow supplemented with PB without chia; Group III – chow supplemented with PB containing 15% of chia; Group IV – chow supplemented with BP containing 20% of chia. After 12 hours of fasting, the rats were euthanized, and the blood was obtained by decapitation. Plasma was used to determine glycaemia and glycated hemoglobin profile. Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol were determined in blood serum. The analysis was carried out in an automatic biochemical analyzer Labmax Plenno (Labtest, Brazil) and hormonal cortisol, anabolic hormones GH and testosterone by chemiluminescence using an immunoassay system (Immulite®, Siemens healthiness Brazil). Group I showed lower glycaemia (P<0.05), it can be due to the highest fiber content in animal feed, but glycated hemoglobin was not different among groups (P>0.05). Animals from group II showed a higher TAG value, on the other hand, group III and IV that consumed PB supplemented with chia showed lower TAG value (P<0.05). Animals from groups III and IV showed the highest level of testosterone, while the cortisol level was similar among their (p>0.05). Thus, the ingestion of chow supplemented with 15 or 20% of chia seed for a short period was able to promote improvement in lipid homeostasis in healthy and eutrophic animals.