TIME-DEPENDENT EFFECT OF ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE ON SOME METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN RATS

Abstract

Background: allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is found in high concentrations in Brassica family
vegetables, especially in Brussels sprouts. Recently, they have been used as a nutrition supplement for
their preventive and medicinal effect on some types of cancer and other diseases. Aim of the work: In
this research, nutritional significance of allylisothiocyanate 25 μmol/kg b. w./day and 50 μmol/kg b.
w./day was studied by the evaluation of their influence on some parameters of carbohydrate and lipid
metabolism in white albino rats after their single (4 h) and 2 weeks oral administration.. Results:
AITC after 4 h of its ingestion caused glycaemia only at the higher dose. AITC multiple
administration strongly disturbed lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis, increasing total cholesterol, free
fatty acids and lowering triglycerides in the blood serum. Additionally, AITC at both doses produced
insulinaemia Conclusions: Whilst consumption of cruciferous vegetables at levels currently
considered “normal” seems to be beneficial to human health, this data suggest that any large increase
in intake could conceivably lead to undesirable effect. This effect is potentiated with time of action of
the examined compounds, whose influence is rather adverse for the majority of metabolic pathways
(glycemia at short duration and insulinaemia, cholesterolaemia at long time treatment). Beneficial
action of AITC concerned intensified hydrolysis of TG in the blood serum.
Keywords: AITC, Metabolism, Rat.