Dietary Supplementation with Virgin Coconut Oil Improves Lipid Profile and Hepatic Antioxidant Status and Has Potential Benefits on Cardiovascular Risk Indices in Normal Rats

Abstract

Research findings that suggest beneficial health effects of dietary supplementation with virgin coconut oil (VCO) are limited in the published literature. This study investigated the in vivo effects of a 5-week VCO-supplemented diet on lipid profile, hepatic antioxidant status, hepatorenal function, and cardiovascular risk indices in normal rats. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1 control and 2 treatment groups (10% and 15% VCO-supplemented diets) for 5 weeks. Serum and homogenate samples were used to analyze lipid profile, hepatorenal function markers, hepatic activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde level. Lipid profile of animals fed VCO diets showed significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level increased significantly (p < .05) compared to control; and there were beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk indices. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, remarkably reduced and activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-were markedly increased in VCO diet-fed rats. The VCO diet significantly modulated creatinine, sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to control. The findings suggest a beneficial effect of VCO on lipid profile, renal status, hepatic antioxidant defense system, and cardiovascular risk indices in rats.

Effect of Soybean, Virgin Coconut and Moringa oleifera Seed Oils on the Propylthiouracil Induced Hypothyroidism in Rats

“…Rabeh and El-Ghandour (2016) and Aisuodionoe et al (2018) reported that VCO improves metabolic parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, reduces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in diabetes. Famurewa et al (2018) mentioned that beneficial effects of VCO on lipid profile, antioxidant hepatic defense system, and cardiovascular risk indices in rats. Hamza (2010) revealed that treatment with moringa seed extract can significantly reduce the indices of hepatotoxicity.…”

“…Iranloye et al (2013) suggested that VCO reduces oxidative stress by boosting the antioxidant defense system, scavenging free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation; another independent study suggested that fresh coconut oil can reduce oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. Famurewa et al (2018) showed that VCO decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD). Virgin coconut oil contains high unsaponifiable lipid components like vitamin E and polyphenols, tocotrienols, tocopherols, β carotene and phytosterol in stabilising cell membranes by preventing alterations in membrane lipid polarity and fluidity (Jaarin et al, 2014).…”

Virgin Coconut Oil Associated with High-Fat Diet Induces Metabolic Dysfunctions, Adipose Inflammation, and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation

“…17 The use of coconut oil is promoted by the media for weight loss, improvement of lipid profile, and others health effects, but most studies evaluated the effects of this oil associated with a normal diet. [18][19][20][21] Considering the negative effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and the recent recommendations on the consumption of SFA, we investigate the effects of VCO associated with HFD on biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters.…”

Moringa oleiferaseed oil or virgin coconut oil supplementation abrogates cerebral neurotoxicity induced by antineoplastic agent methotrexate by suppression of oxidative stress and neuro‐inflammation in rats

“…This resulted in increased interest in utilizing the beneficial potentials of natural products with antioxidant properties to quench or break free radical chain. A growing body of evidence shows that VCO or MOO possesses antioxidant and pharmacological activities (Abarikwu, Benjamin, Ebah, Obilor, & Agbam, ; Famurewa et al, ). A recent investigation demonstrates that oral supplementation of VCO enhances memory and neuronal mechanisms and modulates oxidative stress in Wistar rats (Rahim, Lim, Mani, Majeed, & Ramasamy, ).…”