This study evaluates the potential effects of pumpkin seeds
protein on blood pressure (BP), plasma
adiponectin,
leptin levels, and oxidative stress in rats with
fructose-induced
metabolic syndrome. Twenty four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups and fed a 20%
casein diet, 20%
casein diet supplemented with pumpkin
protein, 20%
casein diet with 64% D-
fructose, or 20%
casein diet with pumpkin
protein and 64% D-
fructose for 8 weeks. Contin-uous
fructose feeding induced an increase in plasma
insulin/
glucose ratio, BP,
insulin and
glucose,
aspartate aminotrans-ferase,
alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
creatinine,
urea, and
uric acid levels, and a decrease in the liver and muscle
glycogen stores. In addition, elevated levels of total
cholesterol (TC),
triglycerides (TG), and
leptin and lowered
adiponectin levels were observed in rats fed a
fructose-enriched diet. These groups also exhibited lower plasma levels of
ascorbic acid and
glutathione, higher
thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances,
hydroperoxide, carbonyl, and
nitric oxide in both the liver and kidneys than rats fed the control diet. Interestingly, pumpkin seed
protein treatment significantly counteracted alterations induced by
fructose improving
glucose,
insulin, BP, TG, TC, ALT, and ALP levels, increasing liver and muscle
glycogen stores,
adiponectin level, and
adiponectin/
leptin ratio, and reducing plasma
leptin lev-els. In addition, rats fed pumpkin
protein with a high-
fructose diet improved oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys. In conclusion,
proteins from Cucurbita pepo L. seeds effectively improve metabolic parameters and protect against oxidative stress induced by a high-
fructose diet.