Reduced level of serum cholesterol in low protein-fed Wistar rats administered gossypol and chloroquine

Gossypol and chloroquine were administered in goya oil and distilled water, respectively, to low protein-fed (LP) and normal protein-fed (NP, control) adult male albino Wistar rats for 4 and 8 weeks' duration. Gossypol (GP) and chloroquine (CQ) were administered separately and in combination (GPCQ). At the end of the treatment periods, the rats were anesthetized and blood drawn by cardiac puncture, centrifuged, and sera obtained for assay of total cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The data obtained were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. The results showed that the interaction of GP and CQ in LP and NP-fed rats produced significant effects (P<0.001) on the serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Serum cholesterol level was lower at 8 than at 4 weeks in LP-fed rats but higher at 8 than at 4 weeks in LP fed rats. The administration of GP, CQ, and GPCQ resulted in lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides at 8 than at 4 weeks in LP fed rats but higher serum cholesterol at 4 than at 8 weeks in NP-fed rats. In LP and NP-fed rats, the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were generally lower in GCPQ-treated than GP- or CQ-treated rats. The implications of the findings are discussed.