Effects of Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) as a Dietary Additive on Some Physiological Parameters and Radiographic Bone Density in Heat Stressed Male Rats

Heat stress is Heat stress is a life-threatening condition with a detrimental impact on the physiological functions of both humans and animals. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of date palm fruit on physiological functions and bone density and to document the protective effect of date palm in mitigating the negative impact of heat stress in rats. Thirty-two mature male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 170–200 g were randomly divided into four groups (8 rats/group): group 1 (control) was provided with standard diet pellets; group 2 (heat stress) rats received a standard diet and were exposed to artificial heat stress (43°C for 60 min/day); group 3 (date palm fruit) rats were given date palm fruit at a dose of 1 g/kg body weight; and group 4 (date palm fruit + heat stress) rats received date palm fruit with the same dose and were exposed to the same protocol of heat stress. Diet protocols started from the beginning of the experiment and continued till the end of the study at 2 months. Heat stress was induced (groups 2 and 4) daily during the second month of the experiment. Hematobiochemical and oxidative stress parameters, histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, and adrenal gland, and quantitative evaluation of radiographic bone density were evaluated at the end of the study. Results demonstrated heat stress resulted in significantly increased leucocyte count, decreased RBCs, platelet count, and Hb concentration (P< 0.01). Significant increases in ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine levels (P < 0.01) with concurrent histopathological changes in the liver and kidney were also recorded in heat-stressed rats. Oxidative stress biomarkers, glucocorticoids, were increased with heat stress (P< 0.01). Serum calcium level and radiographic bone density were significantly decreased in the heat stress group. Rats supplemented with date palm and subjected to heat stress exhibited an insignificant change in physiologic parameters (P> 0.05) compared to control rats. In conclusion, date palm fruit demonstrated a protective effect against the deleterious changes of heat stress in rats by maintaining physiological parameters and improving bone turnover. Dietary supplementation with date palm prior to exposure to heat stress is safe and effective in protecting against the life-threatening adverse effects of heat stress.