# Effect of Guava Seeds on the Biochemical Parameters and Composition of HDL Subclasses in Ovariectomized Rats

## TL;DR

This study shows that guava seeds may help reduce cardiometabolic risks in ovariectomized rats by improving lipid profiles and blood pressure.

## Contribution

The study is the first to investigate the effects of guava-seed supplementation on HDL composition and biochemical parameters in an ovariectomized rat model.

## Key findings

- Guava-seed supplementation reduced body weight gain, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels in ovariectomized rats.
- Supplemented groups showed improved lipid profiles and potential cardioprotective effects linked to HDL composition.
- The protective effects may be attributed to the polyunsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber in guava seeds.

## Abstract

Estrogen deficiency is associated with endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, increased lipoprotein oxidation, accumulation of lipid-rich material, and platelet activation. The absence of estrogen causes physiological, metabolic, and biochemical changes that increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease development caused by a deregulation in metabolic processes such as lipid metabolism and plasma lipoprotein levels. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has cardioprotective properties related to the quality and the quantity of its components that can be modified by some nutritional factors. Guava (Psidium guajava L.), a widely cultivated fruit in Mexico, is notable for its high polyunsaturated fatty acid and dietary fiber content in its seeds, but its effect on health is understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of guava-seed supplementation on body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, HDL composition, and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity in an ovariectomized rat model (OVX). Four groups with six adult female Wistar rats each were classified as a SHAM group: rats with simulated ovariectomy; OVX group: rats with ovariectomy; OVX + GS group: ovariectomized rats supplemented with 6 g of guava seeds; OVX + DGS group: ovariectomized rats supplemented with 6 g of defatted guava seeds. Biochemical parameters, size, and lipid concentration of HDL subclasses, apolipoproteins, and PON1 activity were determined. A decrease in body weight gain, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and triglycerides in plasma was observed at the end of the experiment in the supplemented groups. The supplementation of 6 g of guava seeds for 30 days decreased biochemical parameters in ovariectomized rats; these results could be attributed to the seed composition, suggesting a protective effect against the risk of developing diseases in menopausal states.