ABSTRACT

Fructose is a monosaccharide, also known as fruit sugar, and is metabolized differently from other sugars, it is naturally occurring hexose, is a component of many fruits, vegetables, and sweeteners. It is absorbed primarily in the jejunum and metabolized in the liver. Dietary fructose has resulted in increases in blood pressure, uric acid, and lactic acid. People who are hypertensive, hyperinsulinemic, hypertriglyceridemic, non-insulin-dependent diabetic or postmenopausal are more susceptible to these adverse effects of dietary fructose than healthy young subjects.

This study examined the effect of ethanolic extract of mistletoe on Alanine aminotransferase in high fructose treated rat, twenty male and twenty female wristar rats weighing between 150g- 250g were divided into four groups, each with five animals. They were acclimatizing to their new environment for two weeks. Food (grower mash) and water are treated according to the group. Group one (control group) received only feed and drinking water during the entire study: Group two received feed and increase concentration of fructose solution from 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% every two weeks in place of drinking water for 8 weeks   : Group 3 received feed, increase concentration of fructose solution from 10%, 20%, 30%,and 40% every 2 weeks in place of drinking water and administration of nifedipine a standard drug at a dose of 0.28mg/kg body weight daily all for a period of 8 weeks. While Group four received feed, fructose solution in place of drinking solution and administration of ethanolic extract mistletoe at a dose of 600mg/kg body weight respectively. Body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) of rats were measured weekly. At the end of 8 weeks the animal were sacrificed. Blood sample and the liver were collected and the lives are weighted and homogenized to carry out the biochemical effect of high fructose on Alanine aminotransferase. Result showed that in group one is increase in their body weight, Group two showed no significant increase in their fasting blood sugar, Group three of the female rat showed significant decrease in their Alanine aminotransferase level. Group four showed decrease in Alanine aminotransferase level. Overall Result suggested that. I recommend that further research on the effect of high fructose on fasting blood sugar.