Regulation of Biochemical Markers by Soymilk and Physical Exercise on Obese Rats

Background: Obesity is an excess of body fat that cause cardiovascular risk and it prevalence in Cameroon among adults is high.

Aims: This study took place in the animal house of the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Dschang between June 2020 and February 2021 and the purpose was to evaluate the effect of the association of soymilk, diet and swimming in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 80 rats of 21 days old divided into 6 groups. Thus, we calculate Lee index every two weeks, blood glucose measure and lipid parameters have been dosed in blood sera conserved at -20°C after extraction.

Results: It appears that the high amount of lipid in hyperlipidic diet induces obesity in these rats after 45 days of treatment. This is shown by the body weight gained by hyperlipidic males and females (242.66 ±6.35g and 224.39 ±7.52g), which was significantly higher than that of the standard group (203.06 ±4.9g and 186.31 ±4.04g). This is also indicated in the hyperlipidic males with a Lee index of 301.38 ±0.495, which was significantly higher compared to standard males (296.33 ±1.977). The total cholesterol which was higher in the hyperlipidic subjects decreases significantly after treatment of 3.4 % and 26.8 % respectively at 30 and 60 days. Consequently, the other lipid parameters such as HDLc, LDLc and atherosclerosis index become normal within the duration of treatment.

Conclusion: The study results reveal that obesity was significantly prevalent mostly in males. Soymilk with its richness in phytosterols, coupled with swimming a priority source of fat dissipation, can be used efficiently to fight and prevent obesity and its consequences.