Decreased body-fat accumulation and increased vasorelaxation to glyceryl trinitrate in middle-aged male rats following six-weeks consumption of coconut milk protein

Abstract

We investigated whether coconut milk protein (CMP) contributes to the beneficial effects of coconut milk consumption on cardiovascular health markers previously found in middle-aged rats. CMP was isolated and precipitated from dried fresh coconut milk, then gavaged (1 g/kg) to middle-aged male rats for six weeks; control rats received distilled water. Compared to controls, CMP caused decreased body fat and lipid accumulation in liver cells and the platelet count. CMP did not affect basal blood pressure or heart rate in anesthetized rats. Vascular responsiveness to phenylephrine, DL-propargylglycine (PAG), acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside was unaffected, but vasorelaxation to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) increased. Effects of ODQ on vasorelaxation to GTN were similar in both groups. Expression of blood vessel eNOS, CSE and sGC was normal. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level of CMP-treated rats was normal but addition of GTN increased cGMP and NO concentration more in CMP-treated rats than in controls, an effect unaltered by addition of diadzin. Taken together, CMP appears partially responsible for the improvement in cardiovascular health markers caused by coconut milk in middle-aged male rats.

Nutritional and therapeutic benefits of coconut milk and its potential as a plant-based functional yogurt alternative: a review

“…This leads to increased production of NO and H2S from blood vessels, resulting in reduced vasocontraction to phenylephrine and improved relaxation to acetylcholine. These findings suggest positive effects on cardiovascular markers [39][40][41] . It is important to note that these processes take place when the fat intake is wholesome (i.e., not refined into specific components) and under appropriate circumstances (i.e.…”