Effects of Administration of Bouillon Cubes on Insulin Resistance, Lipid Profile and Renal Function Parameters in Female Albino Rats
Authors: Oodee Blessing B. , Briggs Ojoye N. , Ben-Chioma Adline E. , Nwachuku Edna O. 
Published: March 2024

Aim: To evaluate the effects of administration of bouillon cubes on insulin resistance, lipid profile and renal function parameters in female albino rats.
Methodology: A total of thirty-five (35) female albino rats, weighing between 120 and 150 grams, were used for the study. The bouillon cubes, Star Maggi and Knorr were administered daily to the rats, using an oral gavage tube for 90days. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was determined using the Glucose oxidase method. Fasting plasma insulin (FPI) and Cystatin C levels were quantitatively determined by a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. The electrolytes, sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) and were determined using ion selective electrode method. Urea was determined using Urease-bertholet method. Creatinine was determined using the Jaffe-Slot method. Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by enzymatic methods. Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated from the Friedewald’s equation. Kidney sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique. Quantitative analysis of monosodium glutamate (MSG) content of the bouillon cubes was analyzed using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy while the sodium content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry according to the method of the American Public Health Association.
Results: There were no significant differences (P>.05) in FPG, FPI and HOMA-IR in all the treatment groups. The mean cystatin C value in group E (High Dose Knorr) was significantly higher (P <.05) than the negative control and all other treatment groups. The results also show the mean sodium values in groups D (High Dose Maggi) and E (High Dose Knorr) were significantly lower (P <.05) when compared to the negative control. There were no significant differences (P >.05) in TC and HDL-C levels in the negative control, compared to the treatment groups. There were no significant differences (P >.05) in TG levels, except for group B (Low Dose Maggi) which significantly lower (P <.05) than the negative control. Also, there were no significant differences (P >.05) in LDL-C levels, except for group B (Low Dose Maggi) which significantly higher (P <.05) than the negative control. Histologic analysis of the kidneys of the treated groups showed histological changes in the architecture of the tissues indicating tissue distortion, acute tissue damage, glomerular nephritis and distorted capillaries and degeneration compared to the negative control group which showed no tissue distortion.
Conclusion: Chronic exposure to bouillon cubes did not impact fasting plasma glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in the treated rats. Chronic administration of Knorr cubes impacted the integrity of the kidney as levels of cystatin C and sodium were altered in the albino rats. Histoarchitecture of the kidneys of the treated rats showed histological changes indicating tissue distortion, acute tissue damage, glomerular nephritis and distorted capillaries. Lipid profile/metabolism was relatively not affected by the administration of bouillon cubes.