Antistress and Adaptogenic Activity of Lecithin Supplementation

Abstract

Objective:

Investigation of lecithin administration in rats for its antistress and adaptogenic activity.

Design:

Lecithin was administered orally (1 mg/g body weight) to rats 0.5 hour, 1.5 hours, 3.0 hours, and 6.0 hours prior to cold (5°C)-hypoxia (428 mm Hg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure and serum choline estimation. The rectal temperature (T_rec) of the rats was monitored during the exposure and the recovery periods. The time for decrease of T_rec to 23°C and its recovery to 37°C were used as indices of antistress and adaptogenic activity.

Results:

Lecithin administration 3-6 hours prior to C-H-R exposure was found to have significant adaptogenic activity that correlated with increased serum choline levels. Lecithin administration prior to C-H-R exposure increased the stress tolerance of the rats by delaying the time for decrease of T_rec to 23°C during C-H-R exposure. It also helped shorten poststress recovery as observed by decreased time to attain T_rec of 37°C from C-H-R-induced hypothermia (T_rec, 23°C).

Conclusions:

The results suggested that lecithin supplementation acted as an antistress and adaptogenic functional food. It improved resistance during C-H-R exposure and enhanced recovery from hypothermia.