Hepatic, Renal, and Anti-oxidant Function Markers Can Improve in Dose-dependent Administration of Fresh Coconut Oil

Abstract

Overtime, Oxidative stress has been implicated in the progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its related disorders. To this point, several studies posit that antioxidant constituents of virgin coconut oil among others might have a helpful effect in ameliorating diseases. In this study, the effect of per oral administration of fresh coconut oil (FCO) on the liver, kidney, and anti-oxidant biomarkers was investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats. Ninety-eight (98) albino rats (100 - I50 g) were randomly divided into two (2) units of forty-nine (49) rats each; with each unit subdivided into seven (7) groups of seven (7) animals each. At induction of diabetes mellitus (DM) in subgroups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of unit 1 and B, C, D, E, F and G of Unit 2, rats in the 1 and A subgroups were left untouched to serve as a control. Whereas unit 1 (treated for 2 weeks), subgroups 2-7 respectively received nothing (after DM confirmation), nothing (after DM confirmation), 7.5 mg/kg of FCO, 10 mg/kg of FCO, 7.5 mg/kg of FCO plus Vitamin E, 10 mg/kg of FCO plus Vitamin E, and only Vitamin E; Unit 2 animals (treated for 4 weeks) were given untreated (after confirming diabetes), 7.5 mg/kg of FCO, 10 mg/kg of FCO, 7.5 mg/kg of FCO + Vitamin E, 10 mg/kg of FCO and Vitamin E, and Vitamin E respectively for B-G subgroups. Following administration of test substance, serum samples were then collected from animals for biochemical analysis of liver, renal, and antioxidant marker enzymes. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) proved that liver enzymes were significantly (p < .05) reduced, while antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) were significantly increased (p < .05). However, electrolyte levels, as well as renal markers (urea and creatinine), were insignificant. Also, compared to controls, changes recorded after four weeks followed the same pattern, showing that dietary factor (Vitamin E) modulates the effect of FCO. From this result, it is implied that FCO significantly improved metabolic parameters especially with the significant reduction in oxidative stress in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.