Impact of Age on Biochemical Parameters Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Growing Male Albino Rats

Aims: This study investigated the cardiovascular risk factors associated with ageing in growing rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Olabisi Onabisi University, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was carried out for twelve weeks.

Methodology: Twenty weanling albino rats strain were used to investigate the relationship between normal ageing process for twelve weeks and cardiovascular risk factors by assessment of some selected parameters such as antioxidant status, haematology and hemorheology, calcium content as well as lipid profile.

Results: Significant increase (p<0.05) was seen in plasma uric acid, Total serum cholesterol, White Blood Cells, Packed Cell Volume, Plasma Viscosity, Fibrinogen, Serum calcium, Bone calcium, Teeth calcium and Fecal calcium; while significant reduction (p<0.05) was observed in High Density Lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol). No significant difference was observed in other parameters investigated.

Conclusion: This study revealed that ageing process may induce cardiovascular risk factors in normal rats by elevating some parameters in plasma lipids, oxidative stress as well as calcium content in the plasma indicating that the effect of ageing may be more profound on some parameters than others.