Effect of chickpea husk dietary supplementation on blood and cecal parameters in rats.

Chickpea husk was functionally evaluated for antioxidant status, blood parameters, cecal fermentation and microbial profiles in rats. Fifteen male rats (5 weeks of age) were divided into three groups; they were individually housed and fed one of the following diets for 3 weeks: purified diet containing 5% cellulose (Cellulose), an identical diet in which cellulose was replaced by corn starch (Starch) or by chickpea husk (Chick). Rats were sacrificed to obtain blood and cecal digesta samples. Chickpea husk contained high polyphenolic content and significant superoxide dismutase and 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities. In a feeding experiment, Chick showed lowered cholesterol levels and improved antioxidant activity represented by reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in blood. Chick showed increased cecal levels of total short chain fatty acids and butyrate, leading to a lower pH. Chick presented with lowered cecal indole and skatole concentrations, as did Cellulose. Cecal bacterial changes were notable in Chick, evidenced by differences in denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis banding patterns. However, representative bacteria quantified by real-time PCR assay did not support this bacterial change. These results indicate that chickpea husk feeding can improve the antioxidative status of rats through its polyphenolic components and modulate the hindgut environment by its fibrous components.