title: Virgin coconut oil maintains redox status and improves glycemic conditions in high fructose fed rats.
abstract: Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), extracted from fresh coconut kernel possess similar fatty acid composition to that of Copra Oil (CO), a product of dried kernel. Although CO forms the predominant dietary constituent in south India, VCO is being promoted for healthy life due to its constituent antioxidant molecules. High fructose containing CO is an established model for insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in rodents. In this study, replacement of CO with VCO in high fructose diet markedly improved the glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia. The animals fed VCO diet had only 17 % increase in blood glucose level compared to CO fed animals (46 %). Increased level of GSH and antioxidant enzyme activities in VCO fed rats indicate improved hepatic redox status. Reduced lipid peroxidation and carbonyl adducts in VCO fed rats well corroborate with the histopathological findings that hepatic damage and steatosis were comparatively reduced than the CO fed animals. These results suggest that VCO could be an efficient nutraceutical in preventing the development of diet induced insulin resistance and associated complications possibly through its antioxidant efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India.
authors.forename: Arunaksharan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narayanankutty
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India.
authors.forename: Reshma K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mukesh
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India.
authors.forename: Shabna K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ayoob
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India.
authors.forename: Smitha K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ramavarma
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India.
authors.forename: Indu M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Suseela
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India.
authors.forename: Jeksy J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Manalil
authors.affiliation: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakkuda, University of Calicut, Kerala, 680 125 India.
authors.forename: Balu T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kuzhivelil
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P O, (Recognized Centre of University of Calicut), Thrissur, Kerala 680 555 India ; Department of Biochemistry, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala 680555 India.
authors.forename: Achuthan C
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8760-359X
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Raghavamenon
keywords: Copra oil; Hepatosteatosis; High fructose diet; Insulin resistance; Oxidative stress; Virgin coconut oil