Study of the effect of diet supplemented with powdered Salicornia herbacea L. on glucose transporter and antioxidant capacities in rats

This study was conducted to examine the possibility of Salicornia herbacea L. powder as a functional food beneficially affecting carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant capacity. Twenty-four, 6-week old, maleSprague-Dawleyrats were classified into three groups: normal diet control (CON), high-fat diet control (HFC) and high fat diet + Salicornia herbacea L. (SHF). Related feed was provided to each group for 4 weeks. Weight gain rate increased most in the HFC rats, and the concentration of glucose was significantly high in both the HFC and SHF groups, compared to the CON group. The SHF group showed a significantly high expression rate of Glut 4 (21.36%), compared to the CON and HFC groups. The glycogen content in muscle was significantly high in both the HFC and SHF groups, compared to the CON group. There were significant differences in the malondialdehydecontent in muscles between the groups, with the content in the CON and HFC groups being significantly higher than the SHF group. All the groups showed a similar tendency to each other in the liver tissue as well. Concerning the expression of Cu,Zn-super oxide dismutase andglutathione peroxidaseproteins, the SHF group was significantly higher than the CON and HFC groups. Overall, the experiment result above implies a possibility that an intake of Salicornia herbacea L. powder can regulate weight by decreasing the weight gain rate, further suggesting its effectiveness as a functional food before exercise by increasing the energy storage capacity and antioxidant capacity.