Oxidized Palm Oil Research Articles

Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris ameliorate hematological changes induced by chronic consumption of oxidized palm oil in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Mentha piperita L and/or Thymus vulgaris in ameliorating the hematological changes induced by chronic consumption of oxidized palm oil (OPO) in rats. Methodology: Fifty rats were divided into five groups as follows: rats received a basal diet (control), rats received a basal diet sustained with OPO, rats fed OPO and received Mentha piperita extract, rats fed OPO and received Thymus vulgaris extract, and finally rats fed OPO and received both extracts. After 6 weeks, blood samples were withdrawn and a complete blood count test was done. Results: Rats fed a diet containing OPO showed a significant decrease in red blood cells (RBCs), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), lymphocytes (LYM), and platelets (PLTs) accompanied by a significant increase in white blood cells (WBCs), red cell distribution width (RDW), and mean platelet volume (MPV) compared to rats fed a normal diet. In contrast, rats fed on diet containing OPO and the aqueous extract of either Mentha piperita or Thymus vulgaris showed a significant increase in RBCs, Hct, MCV, Hb, MCH, MCHC, LYM, and PLTs accompanied by a significant decrease in RDW, WBCs, and MPV relative to rats fed on diet containing OPO only. Treatment with a combination of both plants showed better improvements. Conclusion: Both Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris ameliorate the hematological changes induced by OPO.

Oxidized palm oil impairs reproductive functions and architectures in female rats

Objective: To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets (OPD) on female rat reproductive function. Methods: Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into 4 groups. The rats were fed with: a standard diet, 70% of standard diet+30% oxidized palm oil diet (OPD1), OPD1+5 g of boiled yolk egg (OPD2) and OPD1+10% sucrose (OPD3) for 125 days, respectively. During the feeding period, morphometric, estrous cycle, sexual behavior, gestation, biochemical and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated. Results: All OPDs significantly increased abdominal circumference, body mass index and Lee index coupled to an irregularity and lengthening of the estrous cycle. They significantly decreased appetite and consumption behaviours, quantic pregnancy index, fertility rate, implantation sites and index, serum progesterone and high-density lipoprotein levels, increased pre-implantation losses, anti-implantation activities, serum estradiol, triglycerides, total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, and impaired brain and ovaries oxidative status. Histomorphometric examinations revealed increases in the number of atresic and primary follicles and decreases in secondary, tertiary, Degraaf, total and corpus luteum follicles in ovaries coupled to a neurodegeneration of hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular neurons in the OPD groups compared to the standard diet group. Conclusions: The three OPDs induce obesity and impair the female reproductive function, especially OPD2 and OPD3. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the adverse effects of palm oil bleaching on the reproductive function in female rats, which could be useful in the management of women with obesity-related sexual dysfunction.

EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH SOME FEED ADDITIVES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

One hundred and eighty (180), 28 weeks old Gimmizah laying hens were used in the experiment. Hens were distributed at random into 6 treatment groups and divided into 3 replicates of 10 layers each in a completely randomized design. The experiment was performed at a private farm in, Tanta, Gharbia a Governorate, Egypt. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of some feed additives as oxidized palm oil and different levels of probiotic supplementation on the performance of Gimmizah laying hens, Egg quality traits, some blood parameters, blood lipid profile and economic efficiency under our local environmental conditions. hens was fed dietary treatments as: T1, basal diet (positive control, without supplementation), T2 (negative control, 2% oxidized palm oil) and other diets (T3 at T6) were supplemented with two types of probiotics as 0.5% and 1% of saccharomyces cervices and Aspergillus awamori. Results showed that; Hen-day egg production percentage, egg weight, egg number and egg mass were improved by probiotics supplementation at the level of 1% Aspergillus awamori with 2% oxidized palm oil. Also, Feed conversion was significantly (P ≤0.05) improved, while feed intake increased for groups received probiotics with oxidized palm oil at all levels used compared to negative control. While, pronounced effects on egg sell (weight, percentage and thickness) were significantly noted. Albumen and yolk qualities and Hough units were improved by adding received probiotics of yeast and Aspergillus awamori with 2% oxidized palm oil at the level 1% laying hen diets. Plasma total lipid and cholesterol were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by adding dietary yeast and Aspergillus with oxidized palm oil to laying diets. Oxidized palm oil and probiotic supplementation to basal layer diet increased economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency; best values were obtained with 1% Aspergillus awamori with 2% oxidized palm oil. In general, based on obtained experimental results reported herein, from the nutritional and economical point of view, it may be concluded that there are some beneficial effects of oxidized palm oil and probiotics as yeast and Aspergillus awamori supplementation, especially at the level of 1% of Gimmizah hens under the experimental condition.

EFFECT OF ADDING DRY YEAST OR ASPERGILLUS AWAMORI AS NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS TO DIETS CONTAINING OXIDIZED PALM OIL ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GIMMIZAH LAYING HENS

In this study, one hundred and eighty (180), 28 weeks old Gimmizah laying hens were used to study the effects of adding a probiotic (dry yeast or Aspergillus awamori) as natural antioxidant agents to diets containing oxidized palm oil on the productive performance, egg quality traits, some blood components, economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency of Gimmizah laying hens. Hens were distributed at random into 6 similar treatment groups. Each treatment group was divided into 3 replicates of 10 layers each in a completely randomized design. Layers were housed in individual cages. The first group was fed a basal diet contains 16.41% crude protein, 2748 ME kcal/ kg diet (positive control). The second group was fed basal diet contained 2% oxidized dietary palm oil supplementation (negative control). Other groups three and four were fed negative control supplemented with 0.5% and 1% dry yeast (Saccharomyces cervices), respectively. While, five and six groups were fed the negative control with 0.5% and 1% Aspergillus awamori, respectively. Results obtained; the addition of 1% Aspergillus awamori to the negative control group containing 2% of the oxidized palm oil improved: Hen-day egg production percentage, egg weight, egg number and egg mass. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved by adding 0.5% or 1% of both dry yeast and Aspergillus awamori to the negative control diet. A significant increase in the amount of feed intake was observed compared to the negative or positive control. The 6th birds which feeding of the negative control diet + 1%Aspergillus awamori significantly recorded the highest improvement in egg shell quality (weight, percentage and thickness) also the highest value of egg shape index at the age of 40 weeks. Some of the qualities of albumen, yolk and Haugh units were also improved. The addition of 1% Aspergillus awamori to the negative control diets (the basal diet + 2% oxidized palm oil) resulted in a significant improvement in some traits of blood plasma (total protein, albumin, globulin and AST enzyme in comparison with the positive and the negative control diets. A significant decrease was observed in the level of total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration as well as LDL, while HDL was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the blood plasma by increasing the levels of probiotics (dry yeast or Aspergillus awamori) added to negative control. The best economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency for the sixth treatments were observed at the level of 1% Aspergillus awamori compared to other treatments. Conclusion: The obtained results in the present study encouraging and indicated that adding 1% of probiotics (dry yeast or Aspergillus awamori) as antioxidant agents to the basal diet containing 2% of oxidized palm oil led to a significant improvement in productive performance, egg quality traits, some blood traits, economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency of Gimmizah laying hens under experimental conditions.

THE ROLE OF INDIAN COSTUS AGAINST TOXICITY OF THERMALLY OXIDIZED PALM OIL IN ALBINO RATS

Background: Indian Costus extract used as traditional herbal therapy for various diseases. Ingestion of thermally oxidized palm oil causes oxidative stress leading to multiple health problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, as well as kidneys and liver abnormality. Aim: To investigate the toxic effects of thermally oxidized palm oil on the liver, kidneys, heart and lung of Albino rats and to evaluate the role of Indian costus in improving these effects. Methods: Forty adult healthy male albino rats equally assigned into four groups and gavaged by a single daily dose for 45 days as follows group I (control group) gavaged by distilled water, group II gavaged by 80 mg/kg of Indian costus extract, group III gavaged by one-tenth LD50 of thermally oxidized palm oil (LD50 equal 18 gm/kg) and group IV gavaged as group III in addition to 80 mg/kg of Indian costus extract. Serum was collected for biochemical analyses for liver, kidney function tests, lipid profile, malondialdehyd (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity. Also, histological examination for livers, kidneys, heart and lung from sacrificed rats of all groups were performed. Results: A significant increase in total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in group III compared to group I but group IV had significantly lower levels of theses parameters than group III. The highest levels of MDA were in group III followed by group IV and the lowest levels were in group II. There was significant lower mean level of MDA in group IV than group III (7.31±0.60 vs 8.25±1.01; respectively). There were significant higher prevalence of steatosis, congestion and hepatitis in the liver of group III than group IV (p=0.004, 0.014 and 0.012; respectively). Also, there was a significant higher prevalence of atheroma in the heart, moderate and severe interstitial inflammation and granuloma around cholesterol crystal in the lung, cloudy swelling and congestion in the kidneys of group III than group IV. Conclusion: Thermally oxidized palm oil had a deleterious effect on liver, kidney, lung and heart ultrastructure, induces hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. The extract of Indian costus had a potential protective effect against these effects.

Chronic consumption of thermally processed palm oil or canola oil modified gut microflora of rats

Dietary oils have critical influences on human health, and thermally cooking or frying modify the components and nutritional functions of oils. Palm oil was the most widely used oil in food processing industry, but its health effects remain debatable. In the current study, we aimed to compare the effects of thermally oxidized palm oil and canola oil on gut microbiota. Palm oil or canola oil were heated at 180 °C for 10 h to prepare high-fat diets. Rats were fed high-fat diets for 3 months, and hematological properties, gut microflora composition and intestinal gene expression were examined. The results indicated that heated canola oil consumption elevated plasma total cholesterol and LDL-c levels compared with unheated canola oil, but heated palm oil do not had these effects; and consumption of heated palm oil significantly elevated the relative abundance of Lactobacillucs and Roseburia in gut, compared with non-heated palm oil or two canola oil groups. Moreover, intestinal expression of IL-22 was increased in heated palm oil fed animal, though ZO-1 and GPR41 were reduced. In conclusion, heating process may enhance the effects of palm oil on proliferation of probiotics Lactobacillucs, and weaken the effects of canola oil on cholesterol transport and metabolism.

The Protective Effect of Cinnamon against Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil in Broiler Chickens

The present study was planned to investigate the extent of the protective effect of cinnamon against the possible damage effect of thermally oxidized palm oil on broiler chicks. A total number of 150 one d-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly divided into three treatment groups. The first group was served as control and fed the basal diet with tap water. While the 2ndgroup fed the basal diet supplemented with 2g cinnamon/kg diet, the 3rd group fed the basal diet supplemented with 5% thermally oxidized palm oil in combination with 2g cinnamon/kg diet. The experiment has lasted till chicks were 42 d old. Bodyweight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio was estimated. Estimation of the effect of different treatments on the PPAR-α gene expression, Estimation of the lipid profile in serum, Estimation of the cholesterol level in the liver tissue. Correlation between the cholesterol level in both serum and liver tissue and determination of oxidative stress markers in serum. The results showed that the addition of cinnamon increases body weight and feed consumption plus improving the feed conversion ratio. Cinnamon also causes a significant increase in the PPAR-α gene expression in liver tissue, decreases the cholesterol concentrations in serum and liver, decreases triglycerides in serum and decreases the oxidative stress markers.

Influence of Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil on Growth Performance and PPAR-α Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens

The present study was planned to investigate the effect of thermally oxidized palm oil on the broiler performances, liver gene expression, lipid profile and oxidative stress markers. A total number of 150 one d-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly divided into three treatment groups. The first group was served as control and fed the basal diets with tap water. The second group fed the basal diet supplemented with 5% fresh palm oil, the third group fed the basal diet supplemented with 5% thermally oxidized palm oil. The experiment continued till chicks were 42 d old. Body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio was estimated. Estimation of the effect of different treatments on the liver gene expression, Estimation of the lipid profile in serum, Estimation of the cholesterol level in the liver tissue. Correlation between the cholesterol level in both serum and liver tissue. Determination of oxidative stress markers in serum. The results showed that the supplementation of thermally oxidized palm oil decrease the body weight, reduce feed consumption, and increase the feed conversion ratio. Thermally oxidized oil cause a significant increase in the PPAR-α gene expression in liver tissue, increase the cholesterol concentrations in serum and liver, elevate triglycerides in serum and elevate the oxidative stress markers..

Altered Potassium Ion Channel Function as a Possible Mechanism of Increased Blood Pressure in Rats Fed Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil Diets

ABSTRACTIntake of thermally oxidized palm oil leads to cytotoxicity and alteration of the potassium ion channel function. This study investigated the effects of fresh and thermally oxidized palm oil diets on blood pressure and potassium ion channel function in blood pressure regulation. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight rats. Control group received normal feed; fresh palm oil (FPO) and thermally oxidized palm oil (TPO) groups were fed a diet mixed with 15% (weight/weight) fresh palm oil and five times heated palm oil, respectively, for 16 weeks. Blood pressure was measured; blood samples, hearts, and aortas were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Thermally oxidized palm oil significantly elevated basal mean arterial pressure (MAP). Glibenclamide (10−5 mmol/L) and tetraethylammonium (TEA; 10−3 mmol/L) significantly raised blood pressure in TPO compared with FPO and control groups. Levcromakalim (10−6 mmol/L) significantly (p < .01) reduced MAP by 32.0% in FPO and by 5.4% in TPO. NS1619 (10 mmol/L) significantly (p < .01) decreased MAP by 19.5% in FPO and by 8% in TPO. The TPO significantly (p < 0.01) increased the tissue levels of peroxide, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly (p < .01) decreased compared with control and FPO groups. Histological alterations were prominent in aortas and hearts of rats in the TPO group. These results suggest that prolonged consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil increases MAP probably due to the attenuation of adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (KATP) and large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (BKCa) channels, tissue peroxidation, and altered histological structures of the heart and blood vessels.

Evaluation of Palm Oil as a Suitable Vegetable Oil for Vitamin A Fortification Programs.

Fortification programs are considered to be an effective strategy to mitigate vitamin A deficiency in populations at risk. Fortified vegetable oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids were shown to be prone to oxidation, leading to limited vitamin A stability. Thus, it was hypothesized that fortified oils consisting of mainly saturated fatty acids might enhance the stability of vitamin A. Mildly (peroxide value: 1.0 meq O2/kg) and highly (peroxide value: 7.5 meq O2/kg) oxidized palm oil was stored, after fortification with 60 International Units/g retinyl palmitate, in 0.5 L transparent polyethylene terephthalate bottles under cold fluorescent lighting (12 h/day) at 32 °C for 57 days. An increase of the peroxide value by 15 meq O2/kg, which was also reflected by a decrease of α-tocopherol congener by 15%–18%, was determined independent of the initial rancidity. The oxidative deterioration of the highly oxidized palm oil during storage was correlated with a significant 46% decline of the vitamin A content. However, household storage of mildly oxidized palm oil for two months did not induce any losses of vitamin A. Thus, mildly oxidized palm oil may be recommended for vitamin A fortification programs, when other sources of essential fatty acids are available.

Gastric ulceration: the role of thermoxidized palm oil

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of chronic consumption of fresh palm oil (FPO) and thermoxidized palm oil (TPO) diet on gastric acid secretion, pepsin secretions, gastric mucus output and gastric cytoprotection.Design/methodology/approach– Adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups, i.e. control, FPO and TPO groups (n= 10 in each). The control group was fed with normal rat chow only, the FPO group was fed on diet containing 15 per cent v/w FPO and the TPO group was fed with diet containing v/w of thermally oxidized palm oil. All animals had free access to feed and water, and the feeding lasted for 14 weeks. At the end of the feeding period, gastric acid secretion, pepsin secretion, mucus output and gastric ulceration were measured following standard methods.Findings– There was increase in histamine-stimulated gastric acid output in the TPO diet-fed group (p&lt; 0.01) compared with the control and FPO diet-fed groups. No significant change in the mucus output was observed across all the experimental groups; whereas, pepsin secretion was significantly higher (p&lt; 0.05) in the TPO diet-fed group (0.46 ± 0.27) compared with the control (0.14 ± 0.05) and FPO diet-fed groups (0.25 ± 0.01). Ulcer scores in the TPO diet-fed group (15.5 ± 0.33) was significantly higher (p&lt; 0.01) compared with the control (10.0 ± 0.05) and FPO diet-fed (5.0 ± 0.04) groups.Originality/value– Chronic consumption of TPO increased gastric acid and pepsin secretion (gastric-aggressive factors) without a change in the mucus output. This can bring about gastric ulceration; therefore, the liberal use of TPO should be discouraged.

Consumption of thermally oxidized palm oil diets alters biochemical indices in rats

Palm oil is thermally oxidized to increase its palatability and this has been a usual practice in most homes. This study sought to assess the biochemical responses of rats to thermally oxidized palm oil diets. Therefore, Wistar strain albino rats (Rattus norveigicus) were fed with fresh palm oil (control) and thermally oxidized palm oil (test groups) diets and water ad libitum for 30 days. Then, the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and total protein of the plasma and liver were determined. Subsequently, the plasma liver function markers [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (TBIL) ] and the lipid profile [triglyceride (TRIG), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL-CHOL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-CHOL) ] were assayed. The results of the study revealed that there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the plasma and liver total protein, ALB, TRIG and HDL-CHOL of the test groups when compared with the control. Conversely, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of ALT, AST and ALP, TBIL, T-CHOL, LDL-CHOL and plasma/liver MDA of the test groups when compared with the control. These effects were most pronounced in rats fed with 20 min-thermally oxidized palm oil diet. Hence, consumption of thermally oxidized palm oil diets had deleterious effects on biochemical indices in rats. Therefore, cooking with and/or consumption of palm oil subjected to heat treatment for several long periods of time should be discouraged in our homes as this might have deleterious effects on human health.

Palm oil, its nutritional and health implications (Review)

Diet for some time now in Nigeria has undergone many changes such aschanges in dietary intake of fats and oils. There has been an increasing consumption of partially hydrogenated trans-vegetable oils and a decreasing intake of lauric acid-containing oils. Although popular literature and people generally, usually attribute an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) to elevated levels of serum cholesterol, which in turn arethought to derive from an increased dietary intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. The palm oil and palm kernel oil are high in saturated fatty acids, about 50% and 80% respectively and are esterified with glycerol. In developing countries, vegetable oils are replacing animal fats because of the cost and health concerns. It is reassuring to know that the consumption of palm oil as a source of dietary fat does not pose any additional risks forcoronary artery disease when consumed in realistic amounts as part of a healthy diet. However, oxidized palm oil induces reproductive toxicity and organ toxicity particularly of the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart. Therefore, oxidized palm oil should be avoided. © JASEM

Causative Factors and Type of Anaemia Developed in Rabbits Following Chronic Consumption of Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil Diet

Causative Factors and Type of Anaemia Developed in Rabbits Following Chronic Consumption of Thermally Oxidized Palm Oil Diet

Distortions in Sensitivity of Carotid Baroreceptor Reflexes in Rabbits Following Consumption of Two Forms of Palm Oil Diets

Aim: Long term consumption of dietary oils has been implicated in the etiology of hypertension. This study seeks to compare the effects of long term consumption of fresh palm oil (FPO) and thermoxidized palm oil (TPO) on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS), which is responsible for short term regulation of blood pressure. Methodology: The design of this study involved the use of eighteen, male, five month old New Zealand rabbits weighing 750 – 1000 g. They were divided into three groups (n = 6) as follows; control group (received normal animal feed only), FPO diet – fed group (received animal feed mixed with fresh palm oil in the ratio 85:15, respectively) and TPO diet – fed group (received animal feed mixed with thermoxidised palm oil in the ratio 85:15, respectively). The animals were fed for 6 months, after which they were used for the various experiments. Results: Mean daily food and water intake in FPO and TPO fed groups was significantly (p<0.001) lower compared with control. Heart rate for FPO group was significantly higher than the control Original Research Article Ani et al.; BJMMR, 8(3): 245-255, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.445 246 (p<0.001) and TPO (p<0.01) group. Basal systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in TPO group than in the FPO and control (p<0.05) group. The FPO group also had a significantly lower basal systolic (p<0.01) and diastolic pressure (p<0.001) than the control group. The basal pulse pressure was significantly lower in the FPO group than the control (p<0.001) and the TPO group (p<0.01). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) for TPO group was significantly higher (p<0.001) than that of control and FPO groups. The baroreflex sensitivity for FPO group was significantly reduced compared with control (p<0.01) and TPO group (p<0.05). The TPO group showed a significantly lower (p<0.01) baroreflex sensitivity, compared with control. Conclusion: This study observed that chronic consumption of both fresh and thermoxidised palm oil diets caused a significant reduction in carotid baroreceptor reflex sensitivity. However, reduction in BRS was more in fresh palm oil – diet fed group, than the thermally oxidized palm oil diet – fed.

Bile secretion and palm oil diets in Wistar rats

PurposeChronic feeding with thermoxidized palm oil causes tissue damage. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether chronic feeding of oxidized and fresh palm oil affects biliary secretion.Design/methodology/approachAlbino Wistar rats were divided into three groups of ten rats each. The first group was the control and were fed on normal rat chow, while the second (FPO) and third group (TPO) were fed diet containing either fresh or thermoxidized palm oil (15per cent (w/w)) for 14 weeks. Biliary secretion, bilirubin, electrolytes, cholesterol and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes were measured.FindingsBiliary secretion in TPO was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower compared with the control or FPO. Electrolytes (Na+, Cl− and HCO3−) content of bile were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower in TPO compared with control or FPO group. Conjugated and un‐conjugated bilirubin levels were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) elevated in TPO compared with control or FPO. The levels of serum liver enzymes were significantly (p &lt; 0.001) higher in TPO than control or FPO. The cholesterol level in the TPO was significantly higher (p &lt; 0.001) than in control or FPO.Research limitations/implicationsThe non‐clinical approach and use of experimental animals present limitations to the study.Originality/valueThese results suggest that long‐term feeding of thermally oxidized palm oil alters bile composition and decreases biliary flow due to its hazardous free radicals.

Effect of Trans Fatty Acids Consumption on Some Haematological Indices in Albino Wistar Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of trans fatty acids on haematological indices. This was done by supplementing the diets fed to the albino Wistar rats with different concentrations of thermally oxidized palm oil and margarine as sources of trans fatty acids. Fifty albino Wistar rats were used for this study and were randomly selected into five groups of ten rats. Group 1 rats serving as the control received only the stock diet. Group 2 received 85% rat pellet supplemented with 15% margarine. Group 3 was fed with 75% rat pellet and 25% margarine. The fourth group was fed with 85% rat pellet supplemented with 15% thermally oxidized palm oil. Group 4 was fed with 75% rat pellet supplemented with 25% thermally oxidized palm oil. The feeding experiment lasted for six weeks at the end of which rats were sacrificed for determination of haematological indices. Results showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC) and platelet counts, Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) in all test groups. This probably suggests that trans fatty acids may adversely affect the health of an individual and should be reduced in diet.

Palm oil: biochemical, physiological, nutritional, hematological, and toxicological aspects: a review.

The link between dietary fats and cardiovascular diseases has necessitated a growing research interest in palm oil, the second largest consumed vegetable oil in the world. Palm oil, obtained from a tropical plant, Elaeis guineensis contains 50% saturated fatty acids, yet it does not promote atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis. The saturated fatty acid to unsaturated fatty acid ratio of palm oil is close to unity and it contains a high amount of the antioxidants, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. Although palm oil-based diets induce a higher blood cholesterol level than do corn, soybean, safflower seed, and sunflower oils, the consumption of palm oil causes the endogenous cholesterol level to drop. This phenomenon seems to arise from the presence of the tocotrienols and the peculiar isomeric position of its fatty acids. The benefits of palm oil to health include reduction in risk of arterial thrombosis and atherosclerosis, inhibition of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, platelet aggregation, and reduction in blood pressure. Palm oil has been used in the fresh state and/or at various levels of oxidation. Oxidation is a result of processing the oil for various culinary purposes. However, a considerable amount of the commonly used palm oil is in the oxidized state, which poses potential dangers to the biochemical and physiological functions of the body. Unlike fresh palm oil, oxidized palm oil induces an adverse lipid profile, reproductive toxicity and toxicity of the kidney, lung, liver, and heart. This may be as a result of the generation of toxicants brought on by oxidation. In contrast to oxidized palm oil, red or refined palm oil at moderate levels in the diet of experimental animals promotes efficient utilization of nutrients, favorable body weight gains, induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, adequate hemoglobinization of red cells and improvement of immune function. Howerer, high palm oil levels in the diet induce toxicity to the liver as shown by loss of cellular radial architecture and cell size reductions which are corroborated by alanine transaminase to asparate transaminase ratios which are higher than unity. The consumtion of moderate amounts of palm oil and reduction in the level of oxidation may reduce the health risk believed to be associated with the consumption of palm oil. Red palm oil, by virtue of its beta-carotene content, may protect against vitamin A deficiency and certain forms of cancer.

Hypercholesterolemia, coronary artery disease and treatment in croatia

Palm oil is thermally oxidized to increase its palatability and this has been a usual practice in most homes. This study sought to assess the biochemical responses of rats to thermally oxidized palm oil diets. Therefore, Wistar strain albino rats (Rattus norveigicus) were fed with fresh palm oil (control) and thermally oxidized palm oil (test groups) diets and water ad libitum for 30 days. Then, the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and total protein of the plasma and liver were determined. Subsequently, the plasma liver function markers [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (TBIL) ] and the lipid profile [triglyceride (TRIG), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL-CHOL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-CHOL) ] were assayed. The results of the study revealed that there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the plasma and liver total protein, ALB, TRIG and HDL-CHOL of the test groups when compared with the control. Conversely, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of ALT, AST and ALP, TBIL, T-CHOL, LDL-CHOL and plasma/liver MDA of the test groups when compared with the control. These effects were most pronounced in rats fed with 20 min-thermally oxidized palm oil diet. Hence, consumption of thermally oxidized palm oil diets had deleterious effects on biochemical indices in rats. Therefore, cooking with and/or consumption of palm oil subjected to heat treatment for several long periods of time should be discouraged in our homes as this might have deleterious effects on human health.

Influence of palm oil (Elaesis guineensis) on health.

In recent times there has been a growing research interest in palm oil, one of the major edible plant oils in the tropical countries, because of the link between dietary fats and coronary heart disease. Obtained from a tropical plant, Elaesis guineensis, it has a polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio close to unity and a high amount of antioxidant vitamin A precursors and vitamin E. Palm oil is consumed in the fresh state and/or at various levels of oxidation. Feeding experiments in various animal species and humans have highlighted the beneficial role of fresh palm oil to health. These benefits include reduction in the risk of arterial thrombosis and atherosclerosis, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and platelet aggregation, and reduction in blood pressure. However, a considerable amount of the commonly used palm oil is in the oxidized state which possesses potential dangers to the physiological and biochemical functions of the body. Oxidation is as a result of processing the oil for various culinary purposes. Studies have revealed that relative to fresh palm oil, oxidized palm oil induces an adverse plasma lipid profile, free fatty acids, phospholipids and cerebrosides. Additionally, oxidized palm oil induces reproductive toxicity and organotoxicity particularly of the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart. Available evidence suggests that at least part of the oxidized oil impact on health reflects generation of toxicants due to oxidation. The reduction of the dietary level of oxidized oil and/or the level of oxidation may reduce the health risk associated with consumption of oxidized fats.