Avocado oil improves dyslipidemia and increase mitochondrial resistance to oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Increased mitochondrial oxidative damage is a feature of diabetes. It has been demonstrated that the enrichment of mitochondrial membranes with low unsaturated‐fatty acids may confer resistance against deleterious effects of ROS on respiratory chain complexes (RCC). Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid, which has beneficial properties in lipid metabolism. Since diabetes is also characterized by dyslipidemia, the aim of this work was to explore if avocado oil may improve dyslipidemia and increase resistance of RCC to ROS. The daily administration of avocado oil to STZ rats at a dose equivalent to 3.5g oleic acid normalized cholesterol and triglycerides levels after 90 days. The activity of complexes III and IV from liver mitochondria of STZ rats was inhibited in 92 and 72% by 25 μM Fe2+ and avocado oil increase their resistance by 67 and 27%, respectively. Fe2+‐induced lipoperoxidation was lowered in STZ rats that consumed avocado oil. These results suggest that avocado oil consumption is beneficial at systemic and subcellular levels probably due to its high oleic acid content. The authors appreciate the financial support from CONACYT (130638 to CCR), PROMEP (PTC‐266 to CCR) and CIC‐UMSNH (2.16 to ASM)