title: Serum lipids, lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity in rats on long-term feeding with coconut oil or butterfat (ghee).
abstract: We determined the relative atherogenicity of two saturated fats by studying their effects on lipid peroxidation (LP), by way of malonaldehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in serum, liver and heart; and on serum lipid profile after 4 months and 9 months of feeding. Male Rattus norwegicus rats were fed a basal diet (control) or basal diet fortified with 20% weight/weight butterfat (ghee) (BF) or coconut oil (CO). Serum high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-chol) and HDL-chol:LDL-chol ratio was lower in the BF group compared to CO after both feeding periods. Conjugated dienes (CDs) were higher in the serum and liver after 4 months, and heart after 9 months, of the rats fed BF compared to CO. Serum low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-chol) was higher, but CD were lower at 9 months than at 4 months feeding for all three groups. Liver and heart MDA and CD were higher in both groups after 9 months compared to 4 months. Liver GSHPx activity was higher after 9 months compared to 4 months in the BF group. Heart GSHPx activity was lower after 9 months compared to 4 months for both BF and CO groups. In conclusion, BF is potentially more atherogenic than CO in terms of serum lipids and LP. The unfavourable responses in serum lipids, with the exception of triglycerides, and LP were exaggerated with the longer duration of feeding with both oils.
authors.affiliation: Depts. of Pharmacology, Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Soelaiman
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Merican
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Kadir