Avaliação de marcadores inflamatórios no soro de ratos mantidos com dieta à base de óleo de coco

Abstract

Subclinical inflammation is characterized by increased concentration of inflammatory markers in the circulation, and is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Foods and diets play a key role in inflammation, with coconut oil being considered a food with anti inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate inflammatory markers in the serum of rats fed a coconut oil-based diet. Weanling male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into three groups: C, consisting of rats fed a control diet (AIN-93G); M, formed by rats fed a diet containing a mixture of soybean oil and coconut oil; and OC, composed of rats fed a diet containing coconut oil. Serum lipoprotein profile, atherogenicity indices, inflammation markers synthesized by the liver (albumin and ultrasensitive C-reactive protein), body iron status (serum iron, ferritin and transferrin), vascular risk marker (uric acid) were evaluated. The OC group presented lower final body weight and weight gain and food intake during the experimental period compared to the rats in the M and C groups. There was no difference between the groups when evaluating the variables initial weight, weight of epididymal and retroperitoneal adipose tissue in absolute and relative values. Food intake was lower in rats kept on the OC diet compared to rats in the M groups. There was no difference between the groups regarding serum concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. The triglycerides/HDL ratio was higher in group M compared to groups C and OC, these two groups being similar. The total cholesterol/HDL ratio was higher in the M group compared to the OC group, but the latter did not differ from the C group. The values of serum iron, ferritin and transferrin, albumin and uric acid did not differ between the groups, but the concentration of ultrasensitive C-reactive protein was higher in the M and OC groups compared to the C group. Therefore, coconut oil-based diets alter markers of atherogenicity and chronic subclinical vascular inflammation, and may predispose to cardiovascular disease.