Coconut oil increases HDL-c and decreases triglycerides in wistar rats / Óleo de coco aumenta o HDL-c e reduz os triglicerídeos séricos em ratas Wistar

Changes in body composition and serum lipid profile in rats, supplemented with coconut oil, are evaluated and compared to other lipid sources. Female Wistar rats received by gavage 1 mL kg-1 of saline, soybean oil, lard or coconut oil during 21 days. At the end of the study period, body composition, food intake, feces, urine, organ weight and serum lipid profile were assessed. No statistical differences between the groups were found in body composition, food intake, fecal and urinary analysis, and organ weight. In the case or plasma lipid concentrations, coconut oil and lard raised total cholesterol levels, without changes in LDL levels. On the other hand there was no change in total cholesterol levels in the soybean oil group. HDL fraction increased in all groups when compared to that in the saline group; this increase was more significant in the coconut oil group. There was significant reduction of serum triglycerides only in the coconut oil group when compared to the saline group. Supplementation with coconut oil did not interfere in weight and body composition of the animals used in current study, but revealed significant effect on the increase of HDL-c levels and decrease of serum triglycerides.

Analisar as alterações na composição corporal e no perfil lipídico sérico de ratas suplementadas com óleo de coco, comparativamente a outras fontes lipídicas. Foram utilizadas ratas Wistar, as quais receberam via oral 1 mL kg-1 de solução salina, óleo de soja, gordura de porco ou óleo de coco por 21 dias. Ao término avaliaram- se a composição corporal, o consumo alimentar, as fezes, a urina, o peso de órgãos e o perfil lipídico sérico. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos com relação à composição corporal, ao consumo alimentar, à análise de fezes e à urina, e peso de órgãos. Quanto às concentrações de lipídios plasmáticos, o óleo de coco e a gordura de porco elevaram o colesterol total, sem alteração dos níveis de LDL, quando comparados ao grupo salina. Em todos os grupos foi observada elevação da fração HDL, sendo mais significativa no grupo óleo de coco, quando comparados ao grupo salina. Ainda, se comparado ao grupo salina, apenas no grupo óleo de coco houve redução significativa das concentrações séricas de triglicerídeos. A suplementação com óleo de coco não interferiu no peso e composição corporal dos animais em estudo. No entanto esta suplementação apresentou importante efeito no aumento do HDL-c e na redução dos triglicerídeos séricos.

Anti-hyperalgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Alternanthera Maritima Extract and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin in Mice.

Alternanthera maritima are used in Brazilian popular medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Species of Alternanthera have demonstrated biological activities in previous scientific studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of A. maritima (EEAM) and the isolated compound 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-vitexin inhibit mechanical hyperalgesia and parameters of inflammation in mice. The oral administration of EEAM significantly inhibited carrageenan (Cg)-induced paw edema and reduced leukocyte migration into the pleural cavity. 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly inhibited paw edema and reduced both leukocyte migration and the leakage of protein into the pleural cavity. Both EEAM and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly prevented the Cg-induced hyperalgesia. Local administration of 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly prevented the Cg- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced hyperalgesia. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that EEAM is an anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic agent, and the results suggested that 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin is responsible for the effects of EEAM and the mechanism involves the TNF pathway.