Effect of virgin coconut oil on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in mice fed standard or high-fat diets

• Published in: Food & function Vol. 14; no. 15; pp. 6853 - 6863
• Main Authors: Silva, Aline Almeida da, Pérez, Elisangela Martins da Silva, Figueiredo, Ingrid Samantha Tavares de, Alencar, Nylane Maria Nunes de, Alves, Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes, Fernandes, Fabiano André Narciso, Vasconcelos, Renata Prado, Oliveira, Ariclécio Cunha de, Gaban, Socorro Vanesca Frota
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 31.07.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Body weight; Cholesterol; Coconut oil; Diet; High fat diet; Lipids; Morphology; Parameters; Renal function
• ISSN: 2042-6496; 2042-650X
• DOI: 10.1039/d3fo01447a

This study investigated the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in male Swiss mice fed standard (SD) or high-fat (HFD) diets. Thirty-three adult animals were assigned to one of four groups, as follows: SD, SD plus VCO (SDCO), HFD, and HFD plus VCO (HFDCO). VCO had no effects on the Lee index, subcutaneous fat, periepididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat, area under the curve for glucose, or pancreas weight, all of which were increased by HFD. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the SDCO group compared with the SD group and decreased in the HFDCO group compared with the HFD group. VCO increased total cholesterol only in the SDCO group compared with the SD group, with no differences between the HFD and HFDCO groups. In conclusion, low-dose VCO supplementation did not improve obesity, had no effects on hepatic or renal function, and had beneficial effects on the lipid profile only in animals fed HFD. This study investigated the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in male Swiss mice fed standard (SD) or high-fat (HFD) diets.