Antistress and Adaptogenic Activity of Lecithin Supplementation

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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 (Trec) of the rats was monitored during the exposure and the recovery periods. The time for decrease of Trec 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 Trec to 23°C during C-H-R exposure. It also helped shorten poststress recovery as observed by decreased time to attain Trec of 37°C from C-H-R-induced hypothermia (Trec, 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.