Influence of the consumption of quinoa on the biochemical parameters and intestinal histomorphometry in obese rats

© 2018, Instituto Nacional de Salud. All rights reserved. Objective. To determine the influence of the consumption of three varieties of quinoa on the biochemical parameters and intestinal histomorphometry in obese rats. Materials and Methods. A total of 42 obese Holtzman rats arranged in seven treatments of six animals each were used and fed during 23 days with one of the seven diets: an obesogenic control and the others six containing 20% of Altiplano, Pasankalla, or Negra Collana quinoas processed by cooking or roasting. At the end of the feeding period, blood samples were taken for the determination of glucose, triglycerides, and C-HDL levels; later, the animals were sacrificed, and the liver, small intestine, and kidneys were weighed. Small intestine samples were extracted for intestinal histomorphometry. Data were analyzed through ANOVA using GLM under a completely randomized design with 3×2 plus control factorial arrangement and comparison of means by Fisher test. Results. Glucose, triglyceride, and C-HDL levels did not differ compared to the control group; in addition, the weight of the kidneys was not affected by the experimental diets. However, the small intestine presented greater weight in the control group compared to those containing processed quinoa. Histomorphometry of the small intestine was not significantly affected by experimental diets. Conclusions. Feeding obese rats with diets containing processed quinoa varieties does not modify the biochemical parameters and does not affect intestinal histomorphometry; however, it decreases the weight of the small intestine in obese rats.