# Effect of Ajwa Date and Germinated Barley on Lipid Profile in Rats Fed High-Fat Diet
## 4 Discussion
The anti-hyperlipidemic ability of barley sprouts might be associated with their high contents of saponarin, which considerably suppressed TC and TG gathering, and was accredited by decreases in TAG synthesis-related transcriptomics. Flavonoids and polyphenols in germinated barley and AD comprise several hydroxyl groups (-OH) which exert their antioxidant abilities [46] by binding to oxidative markers, as mentioned in our data. Moreover, many previous studies have shown the therapeutic roles of geminated barely as an anti-obesity functionalfood [47; 48]. Moreover, the mixture of barley sprout and Indian gooseberry significantly reduced the serum lipid profile and weights of rats fed a HFD [47]. Several studies have indicated that AD has antihyperlipidemic action due to its anti-obesity qualities [39]. In human studies, AD seed effectively reduced TC, LDL, and TG by 19.4, 22.5, and 25.78% in the treated group compared to the placebo group [49]. This machinery of the anti-obesity qualities of GB can promote lipolysis and inhibit lipid synthesis due to its contents of saponarin and ellagic acid [47]. Liver enzymes are responsible for the normal function of hepatocytes, and the increase in ALT and AST might be associated with liver injury [50]. In the current study, rats fed a HFD displayed increased ALT and AST levels, indicating liver injury. This research indicates that feeding the rats a high-fat diet (HFD) during the experiment period led to possible damage or inflammation in the liver cells, which caused the aminotransferase enzymes (ALT, AST) to rise above the standard levels, which was evident in the results of the groups (ABM 30 and 40%). A mixture of AD and GB at a ratio of 20, 30, and 40% restored the ALT enzyme to a level near that of the NC group. Unexpectedly, there was an increase in AST values recorded in ABM at a ratio of 20, 30, and 40%. This elevation of the AST enzyme may be due to the low beta-glucan content recorded in GB, since beta-glucan supplementation reduced liver damage and oxidative stress, which is represented by the significant lowering of AST [51]. This later study supposed that the increasing of AST might be related to the liver damages in rats. Thus, further research would be conducted to illustrate this topic and support the increasing levels of AST. The authors did not examine any histological features for a more in-depth discovering of the hepatocytes status. Nevertheless, ALT is a more specific indicator of liver inflammation than AST [52], as AST may also be elevated in diseases affecting other organs, such as the heart or muscles [53]. Treating rats induced with hepatic steatosis with GB prevented the weakening of hepatocyte function and diminished inflammation [11]. \(\beta\)-glucans are recognized for their glucoregulatory actions, promoting hepatic health from the damages caused by HFD [54]. Moreover, [55] reported that GB has a hepatoprotective agent against heavy metals in rats. Epidemiological studies have shown that the consumption of foods high in phenols is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cancer-related mortality [12; 42]. The TG was lower in all rats co-treated with AD and GB. Similar to our results, AD significantly reduced TC and glucose, indicating a protective agent against obesity in animal studies [56; 57]. The dietary fiber of \(\beta\)-glucans can increase the abundance of probiotics, which can accelerate the secretion of unconjugated bile acids and thus help to regulate the level of TC in the blood short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) resulting from the fermentation of food fibers inhibiting the activity of enzymes that synthesize TC within the body, thus reducing blood TC levels [24]. The synergistic effects of AD and GB in reducing the lipid profile and exhibiting anti-hyperlipidemic effects may be due to their effect on TC and TG, involving avoiding their absorption by blocking the intestinal barriers related to enzymes that are responsible for the transportation of both molecules through the intestinal cavity [25; 27].