Plasma lipid profile of Wistar albino rats fed palm oil-supplemented diets

Abstract

The effect of palm oil-supplemented diet on plasma lipid profile of Wistar albino rats was investigated by feeding the experimental animals with 20% palm oil-supplemented diets for 12 weeks. The plasma levels of Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and High-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined at 4-, 8-, and 12-week intervals. The results showed significant (p<0.05) increases in TC (from 2.44+0.44 to 3.41+0.41), TG (from 1.72+0.51 to 2.46+0.19), and LDL (from 0.87+0.21 to 1.33+0.30) at the 4th week. However, the level of HDL (0.97+0.06) did not show significant difference from control value (0.87+0.21). The TC/HDL ratio increased non-significantly from 3.12+0.29 to 3.55+0.29. At the 12th week, significant decreases (p<0.05) were observed for TC (1.50+0.08), LDL (0.28+0.06), while no significant difference was noted for TG and HDL. The TC/HDL ratio decreased significantly (p<0.05) to 2.56+0.13. Analysis of organ weights showed significant (p<0.05) increase for lungs and liver while no significant differences were noted for heart and kidneys at the 12th week of feeding the diets. The findings of the present study suggest that palm oil may be beneficial as its intake produces decreases in TC/HDL, a useful index for possible cardiovascular problems in individuals.
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Keywords: Palm oil, cardiovascular, HDL, LDL, Total cholesterol, Triglycerides.