Abstract
Aim/Background: Dyslipidaemia is one of the diseases with high mortality worldwide, about 45% of the world population is being affected leading to cardiovascular disorders. Cadmium is a ubiquitous toxic heavy metal pollutant in the biosphere which has been implicated as one of the factors responsible for dyslipidaemia. This work was therefore conducted to ascertain the effects of omega-3 and/or quercetin on cadmium- induced dyslipidaemia in rats.
Methods: Forty two (42) Wistar rats were assigned into 7 groups of 6 rats each and fed for 8 weeks with normal rat feed and drinking water. The treatment groups took either of cadmium chloride, omega-3 fatty acid and/or quercetin. The sham control groups 1 and 2 took olive oil (0.1 mL/kg body wt. o.p) and DMSO (1.0 mL/kg body wt. o.p) respectively. Blood samples were collected for measurement of some biochemical parameters.
Results: Results obtained showed significant decrease in HDL-c, while TC, TG and VLDL-c concentrations increased significantly (p<0.05) in Cd groups compared with control, omega-3 and/or quercetin groups. Cadmium administration also increased LDL-c conc. and atherogenic indices (CRR, AC and AIP) significantly (p<0.05) compared to Omega-3 group. These changes were ameliorated in omega-3 and/or quercetin treated groups.
Conclusion: Administration of quercetin or omega-3 ameliorates the adverse effects of Cd on serum lipids (LDL-c and HDL-c), antherogenic indices (CRR, AC & AIP), preventing dyslipidaemia that would have resulted in cardiovascular and other metabolic disorders. Quercetin or omega-3 had variable effects in ameliorating the adversity of Cadmium. However, combination of both quercetin and omega-3 produced a better ameliorating effect than when administered singly.

Key words: Dyslipidaemia, lipid-profile, atherogenic-indices, cadmium, omega-3, quercetin