The Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on Malondialdehyde, Glutathione Peroxidase, and Cortisol Hormone Levels

Abstract

Vigorous physical activity is a physical movement that produces excessive free radicals due to leakage of electrons from the mitochondrial transport system. The body's antioxidant system is reduced due to the inability of the body's defenses to reduce the production of free radicals resulting in oxidative stress, so it requires a supply of antioxidants from outside the body such as Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of VCO administration on malondialdehyde levels, glutathione peroxidase levels and cortisol hormone levels in male Wistar rats subjected to strenuous physical activity. The research method uses an experimental with posttest only control group design. The experimental subjects were 24 male Wistar rats which were randomly divided into 4 groups (K1, K2, K3, and K4). The administration of VCO at dose of 25 mL and 50 mL are based of human weight 70 kg and the conversion dose in mice (BB = 200 g) resulted in 0.45 mL/200 g BW/day and 0.9 mL/200 g BW / day which is made into a 1 mL solution and given orally for 28 days. K3 and K4 groups were given strenuous physical activity and given VCO at a dose of 0.45 and 0.9 mL/200 g BW/day. The measurement of malondialdehyde levels using the TBARS method. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the cortisol hormone using ELISA method at PSPG UGM in June 2022. The lowest average levels of MDA and GPx were in the K1 group. One-Way Anova test result showed that the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and the cortisol hormone in the K3 and K4 groups had significant differences with K2 group (p < 0.05). The administration of VCO at doses of 0.45 mL/200 g BW/day and 0.9 mL/200 g BW/day could affect the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and the hormone cortisol in male Wistar rats subjected to strenuous physical activity.