O impacto da suplementação com óleo de coco extra virgem em camundongos swiss submetidos a treinamento físico (natação)

Abstract

Some characteristics of coconut oil composition support its use as a dietary supplement for weight loss and / or improvement of physical performance. The literature, however, shows contradictory and insufficient results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of coconut oil supplementation on mice submitted to swimming. Sixteen female rats were divided into control group (CTR), exercised (TRE) and exercised with supplementation (TCO). The TRE and TCO groups were submitted to swimming for 30 minutes/day, five times/week for four weeks; and the TCO group was supplemented orally by gavage with extra virgin coconut oil (3mL / kg body weight) 30 minutes before swimming. It was determined: weight gain; daily dietary intake; the weight of intra-abdominal, retroperitoneal, gonadal and subcutaneousadipose tissue, the weight of soleus and grastrocnemius muscles; Lean mass; Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins and albumin; Liver fat and fasting blood glucose. Were also evaluatedtestsof Glucose tolerance (GTT) and Insulin (ITT). The TCO group presented higher amounts of hepatic fat, less gonadal adipose tissue and lower soleus muscle, andalso a greater glucose tolerance in GTT than to CTR; the TRE group presented lower weight of the gastrocnemius than CTR group. Both groups trained apart of the supplementation had less activity of TGO and TGP. Other parameters were not significant (p <0.05). Despite beneficial changes and the unchanged lipid profile, the coconut oil associated with swimming caused negative effects, and its prolonged use could alter parameters that were not evaluated, besides not supporting its coadjuvant effect on weight loss.