Protective Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil and Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction on Bone Biomechanics

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease characterized by low bone mineral density. Both virgin coconut oil (VCO) and tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) are known to have higher antioxidant activity. The study aimed to determine the effect of combined therapy of VCO and TRF on biomechanical bone strength parameters of the ovariectomised rat model fed with high fat diet and heated palm oil. Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into; Sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomised control (OVX), ovariectomised and given Premarin 64.5 µg/kg (OVX+P), ovariectomised and given VCO 1.43 ml/kg (OVX+V), ovariectomised and given TRF 30 mg/kg (OVX+T) and ovariectomised and given combined therapy of VCO and TRF (OVX+VT). Following 24 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the right femora were analyzed for three-point bending test using Shimadzu machine (AG-X 500 N). The parameters were divided into two classes: extrinsic (load, displacement and stiffness) and intrinsic (stress, strain and Young modulus). The statistical tests used were analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s HSD test. The Young modulus value of OVX+VT group was significantly higher than OVX+V and OVX+T groups (p<0.05). Combined therapy of VCO and TRF have offered better bone protective effects than single dose of VCO or TRF in preventing bone loss of osteoporotic rat model.