LAUSR

Abstract Background The effects of dietary fat composed of different vegetable and animal fat sources on haematological and biochemical parameters in humans or animals remain conflicted. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of sunflower oil and beef tallow diets on haematological and biochemical parameters and liver histopathology in rats. Methods Thirty female rats were fed either a standard diet or a dietary fat composed of sunflower oil or beef tallow for four weeks. The haematological, biochemical and histopathological analyses were performed. Results Beef tallow diet resulted in a significant increase in body weight and white blood cells count, while red blood cells count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were significantly reduced compared with those fed standard and sunflower oil diets. Also, beef tallow diet caused a significant increase in the levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein were markedly increased, while high-density lipoprotein was significantly reduced in rats fed beef tallow diet than in those fed standard and sunflower oil diets. Moreover, beef tallow diet caused several histopathological changes in rat liver tissues compared with standard and sunflower oil diets. Conclusion This study suggests that diet rich in beef tallow may increase the risk of developing a number of obesity-related disorders due to its influence on body weight gain as compared with a diet rich in sunflower oil. Also, the beef tallow diet has negative effects on metabolic parameters indicating its hyperlipidemic activity.