A High-Fructose Diet Formulated with Thermally Oxidized Monounsaturated Fat Aggravates Metabolic Dysregulation in Colon Epithelial Tissues of Rats.

BACKGROUND: Various epidemiological and clinical studies have indicated a positive association of colon cancer with high sugar and thermally oxidized fats consumption. The present study evaluated the effects of fresh and thermally oxidized coconut (CO) and mustard oils (MO) along with a high-sugar diet in the rat colon mucosa. METHODS: The animals were fed with a modified diet containing high-fructose and different edible oils as fatty acids sources over a period of 30 weeks. Further, the development of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia were estimated biochemically. The changes in the redox status were estimated in terms of reduced glutathione (GSH), antioxidant enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Changes in the expression of genes associated with inflammation and cell proliferation were evaluated by qPCR. RESULTS: The animals fed with high-fructose developed hyperglycemia and insulin resistance over 30 weeks. These animals had diminished GSH level, SOD activity and a concomitant increase in the TBARS level in the colon epithelial tissues. In addition, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) was elevated while P53 and PPARγ were down-regulated. This heightened body metabolic dysregulation and associated oxidative damage and inflammation in the colon were exacerbated by thermally oxidized edible oils incorporated in the diet, with a more prominent effect was observed with TMO. CONCLUSION: Feeding high-fructose diet with TMO increases the oxidative and inflammatory damages in the colon epithelium of Wistar rats. Therefore, the study cautions the prolonged consumption of thermally oxidized monounsaturated fat-rich edible oils, especially by individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Neera, a non-fermented traditional drink from coconut spadix restores the redox status in sodium fluoride intoxicated mice.

OBJECTIVES: Neera, non-fermented coconut inflorescence sap (NFCIS) and its fermented form, toddy (FCIS) are the two well-known traditional drinks in South India. Both the saps show high rejuvenation effect and NFCIS is used for the curing of bronchial suffocation, anemia, tuberculosis and piles in traditional medicine. But, a few scientific studies have been reported on their health benefits so far. Presently, the antioxidant effect of both non-fermented (NFCIS) and fermented form (FCIS) of coconut inflorescence were analyzed in experimental animals. METHODS: The free radical scavenging property of FCIS and NFCIS was analyzed in vitro. The effect of these saps on mitigating sodium fluoride (NaF) deteriorated redox status was evaluated in mice. RESULTS: NFCIS exhibited high antioxidant activity than its fermented form. NFCIS reduces metal ions and scavenge hydroxyl and DPPH radicals with IC50 values 6.5 ± 1.9 and 44 ± 3.14 µL/mL, respectively. Supplementation of NFCIS for 14 days increased SOD, CAT and GPx activities and GSH level in liver by 51.67, 52, 27.88 and 35.77%, respectively against NaF induced decline with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation to 40.76%. Saps rich in minerals indicate pharmaceutical and nutritional value. CONCLUSION: The study revealed the antioxidant efficacy of non-alcoholic natural drink, Neera and recommends an alternative for synthetic carbonated soft drinks. The regular consumption of Neera may protect the body from various chronic diseases especially where the oxidative stress played as a key role.

Ameliorative effect of Neera, nonfermented coconut inflorescence sap, on cisplatin-induced renal toxicity by abating oxidative stress.

Objectives Neera, nonfermented coconut inflorescence sap (NFCIS) from unopened spadix of Cocos nucifera L., is a well-known traditional beverage. But, scientific reports on its health benefits are limited. NFCIS is reported to exhibits free radical scavenging activity, and its chemical composition is found promising. In the present study, the effect of NFCIS on alleviating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was analyzed in mice. Methods The renal toxicity was induced by cisplatin (16 mg/kg b.wt. ip) in Swiss albino mice. The antioxidant activity of NFCIS was evaluated by nitric oxide radical scavenging assay and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced superoxide radical generation in mice peritoneal macrophages. Total polyphenolic content of sap was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The phytochemicals present in NFCIS was identified using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Results NFCIS was found to scavenge nitric oxide (NO) radicals (IC50 = 32 ± 2.47 µL/mL) and shown to inhibit superoxide (SO) generation (53.5 ± 2.1%) in macrophages. High polyphenolic content (193 µg gallic acid/mL) was determined in the sap. The FT-IR spectrum of NFCIS revealed the presence of several phytochemicals indicate its pharmaceutical and nutritional value. Cisplatin-induced hike in urea, creatinine and lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased to 65.16, 87.74 and 53.41% by NFCIS, respectively. Hb (42.37%) and total count (72.81%) were also found to be increased. Additionally, the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione was enhanced to 53.06, 40, 52.22 and 38.49%, respectively. Conclusions Results indicate that NFCIS effectively alleviates cisplatin-mediated renal toxicity by its antioxidant activity.

Virgin coconut oil maintains redox status and improves glycemic conditions in high fructose fed rats.

Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), extracted from fresh coconut kernel possess similar fatty acid composition to that of Copra Oil (CO), a product of dried kernel. Although CO forms the predominant dietary constituent in south India, VCO is being promoted for healthy life due to its constituent antioxidant molecules. High fructose containing CO is an established model for insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in rodents. In this study, replacement of CO with VCO in high fructose diet markedly improved the glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia. The animals fed VCO diet had only 17 % increase in blood glucose level compared to CO fed animals (46 %). Increased level of GSH and antioxidant enzyme activities in VCO fed rats indicate improved hepatic redox status. Reduced lipid peroxidation and carbonyl adducts in VCO fed rats well corroborate with the histopathological findings that hepatic damage and steatosis were comparatively reduced than the CO fed animals. These results suggest that VCO could be an efficient nutraceutical in preventing the development of diet induced insulin resistance and associated complications possibly through its antioxidant efficacy.