ABSTRACT

Aims: We assessed the ameliorative effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) following atrazine (ATZ) and diabetes-induced lipid profile derangements in rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=35) in the test group were divided into five groups (n=7): Groups 1, 2, and 3 received 10 mL/kg distilled water, 10 mL/kg VCO, and 123 mg/kg ATZ, respectively. Group 4 consisted of the untreated diabetic animals and Group 5 consisted of diabetic animals treated with 10 mL/kg of VCO for 2 weeks. The recovery group rats (n=35) were divided into five groups (n=7): Groups 1 and 2 received 10 mL/kg of distilled water and VCO, respectively. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received 123 mg/kg ATZ for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 continued the initial treatment, whereas Group 4 and Group 5 received 10 mL/kg of VCO and 10 mL/kg of distilled water, respectively. Blood samples were collected after 2 weeks.

Results: From Group 1 to Group 5 in the test group, differences were observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (56.20±0.86 mg/dL, 66.00±0.71 mg/dL, 42.60±0.93 mg/dL, 33.80±1.16 mg/dL, and 52.60±1.17 mg/dL, respectively, p<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (39.20±1.16 mg/dL, 44.00±1.52 mg/dL, 69.80±0.37 mg/dL, 75.20±0.86 mg/dL, and 61.60±1.29 mg/dL, respectively, p<0.05). In the recovery group, HDL-C levels were higher in Group 4 than in Group 3 (40.40±0.51 mg/dL vs. 32.20±0.80 mg/dL, p<0.001), LDL-C levels were lower (45.40±0.87 mg/dL vs. 66.60±1.08 mg/dL, p<0.001).

Conclusions: ATZ and diabetes mellitus induction reduced HDL and increased LDL levels, which were reversed by VCO administration.