VIRGIN COCONUT OIL (VCO) SUPPLEMENTED DIET AMELIORATES BLOOD GLUCOSE, RENAL TISSUE AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN DIABETIC RATS

Untreated hyperglycaemia leads to kidney damage through oxidative stress of the kidney tissues with resultant compromise of the antioxidant enzymes. According to research, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has been reported to have hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic properties. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effects of VCO supplemented diet on blood glucose, renal tissues and antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats. The study was carried out on fifteen male rats weighing 150 g-200 g and divided into 3 groups as follows: Normal control group (Group 1) and diabetic control group (Group 2) fed on normal rat chow, diabetic test group (Group 3) fed on 10% VCO diet. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg). After 3days of diabetes induction, blood glucose was assessed and subsequently on 7th, 10th, 14th, 21st and 28th days. The result showed a significant increase in blood glucose on the 3rd, 7th and 10th day in Group 2 and Group 3 compared to Group 1 as well as a significant decrease in Group 3 on 14th, 21st and 28th days. The SOD and CAT activities in kidneys significantly increased (p<0.05) and MDA in kidneys significantly reduced in Group 3 when compared to Group 2. Also GGT and ALP activities significantly increased in Group 3 when compared to Group 2. In conclusion, VCO can ameliorate hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and enhances the activities of renal tissue enzymes in diabetics.