THEOBROMIINE ADMINISTRATION INHIBITS PLATELET AGGREGATION AND ELEVATES SERUM HDL-CHOLESTEROL IN HYPERLIPIDEMIC WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

Pure theobromine was administered by oral gavage to hyperlipidemic Wistar rats weighing 100-250g for a four-day period Serum lipid profiles, body weight changes and extent of platelet aggregation were assessed in these animals against appropriate controls. Theobromine administration in moderate (600mg/kg body weight) to high (700mg/kg body weight) doses, produced a significant (P <0.05, and P <0.001) dose and time dependent decrease in triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol concentration and a significant (P < 0.001) increase in HDL-cholesterol level relative controls. The results also indicate a significant (P <0.001) increase in platelet count ratio in the theobromine treatment groups with values of 0.89 ± 0.08 and 0.99 ± 0.05 for the 600mg/kg and 700mg/kg theobromine dose regimens respectively, relative. to the control value of 0.84 ± 011. The increase in the ratio indicates absence of aggregation; thus theobromine inhibits platelet aggregation and elevates plasma HDL-cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemic Wistar rats. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the therapeutic potentials of theobromine in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and its ability to impede atherogenesis.
Key Words: Theobromine, hyperlipidemia, platelet-aggregation, HDL-cholesterol, atherogenesis.