A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF VCO AND OTHER UNSATURATED OIL SOURCES ON THE LIPID PROFILE OF SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS Rosario S. Sagum, Ph.D., Mildred A. Udarbe, MSc., Trinidad P. Trinidad, Ph.D. And Mario V. Capanzana, Ph.D. ABSTRACT Introduction: Coconut oil is classified as medium chain triglyceride (MCT) and used as the main source of fat by millions of people, for many years, in Asia, Pacific Islands and Central America. Some groups of Pacific Islanders depended mostly on coconut to sustain life, obtaining more than half of their caloric intake from coconut. These people were studied extensively, and found to have suffered almost no heart disease. There were fewer incidences of cancer, diabetes, obesity and other degenerative diseases compared with Western people. Conflicting results regarding the use of virgin coconut oil (VCO) from coconut, as against unsaturated oil have been reported and needs to be validated. Objectives: To determine the effects of VCO and other unsaturated oil sources on the lipid profile of Sprague dawley rats (SDR). Methods: Adult male and female (100 days old) SDR were housed in individual cages and acclimatized for one week with basal diet (BD). The rats were randomized into 7 groups with 14 rats per group (7 female and 7 male). Rats were given diet as follows, Group I (Control Group) have BD; Group II have BD + 0.5ml ( to 3 tablespoon) VCO (virgin coconut oil); Group III BD + 0.5ml RBDO (Refined Bleached Deodorized Coconut Oil) ; Group IV BD + 0.5ml OO (Olive Oil); Group V BD + 0.5ml CO (Corn Oil); Group VI BD + 0.5ml PO (Palm oil), Group VII BD + 0.5ml CAO (Canola Oil). The oils were given through gavage. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides), fasting blood sugar, food intake and weight of rats were monitored at baseline and endline. At the end of the 100 days feeding period, rats were sacrificed. Blood extraction was through cardiac puncture. The study was approved by the FNRI- Institutional Animal Care and Ethics Committee. Results: Non-significant increased in the fasting blood glucose of rats in all diets except those in the VCO where no increased was observed. A 7.9% and 6.1% decreases in the total cholesterol of rats fed with VCO and OO respectively while 13%, 7.5%, 4.8% increases in those given CO, PO, CAO respectively. A 13%-17% HDL increases in rats fed with RBDO, OO and VCO with corresponding decrease in their LDL while significant HDL decreases in those fed with CO, PO and CAO. Triglyceride level in rats was significantly decreased in CO, OO, BD, VCO, while increases was observed in RBDO, PO and CAO. Conclusion: This study proved that VCO can be
compared with other unsaturated fatty oils in terms of cholesterol lowering. These findings may be of importance in the lowering and maintenance of lipid profile which may prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS VCO Virgin Coconut Oil RBDO Refine Bleached Deodorized Coconut Oil OO Olive Oil CO Corn Oil PO Palm Oil CAO Canola Oil BD Basal Diet (AIN 93) Adult male & female Sprague Dawley Rats (100 days old) were housed in individual cages and acclimatized for 1 wk with basal diet Blood collection for baseline (Lipid Profile & Fasting Blood Glucose) Randomized into 7 group w/ 14 rats per group (7 males & 7 females) Feeding for 100 days Blood collection for endline lipid profile and fasting blood glucose
Weighing of Rat Weighing of rats diet Giving diet and water to rats Feeding of oil thru gavage Blood extraction thru heart puncture Dissection and collection of internal organs
RESULTS Total cholesterol was decreased in rats fed with VCO and Olive oil while increases was observed in corn oil, palm oil and canola oil Triglyceride levels in rats was significantly decreased in corn oil, olive oil, control diet and VCO
The HDL-cholesterol was increased in all group of rats except those fed with canola oil LDL-cholesterol was decreased in rats fed with VCO, RBDO, olive oil, and control diet while increased LDL-cholesterol in corn oil, palm oil and canola oil
A decreased VLDL cholesterol in rats fed with VCO, RBDO, olive oil, and corn oil while increased in palm and canola oil was observed CONCLUSION Increased in the fasting blood glucose of rats in all diets except those in VCO wherein no increased was observed This study proved that VCO can be compared with other unsaturated fatty oils in terms of cholesterol lowering. These findings may be of importance in the lowering and maintenance of lipid profile which may prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases.