INFLUENCE OF COCNUT OIL ON LIPID METABOLISM AND MICROBIOCENOSIS IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of coconut oil supplement on lipid metabolism and microbiocenosis in rats fed with a fat-free diet. Coconut oil contains more than 70% of medium chain fatty acids and almost no essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, it is recommended for patients with obesity and atherosclerosis. Experiments were conducted on 16 Wistar rats, which were distributed in 3 groups: 1 - intact, 2 - received lean diet, and 3 - lean diet plus 5% of coconut oil. The duration of the experiment was 31 days, a daily food intake was 30 g per rat. In the liver homogenate and serum there were determined triglycerides and cholesterol, urease activity (a marker of microbial contamination), lysozyme (nonspecific immunity), elastase (a marker of inflammation) using enzymatic methods. Feeding rats with a lean diet containing protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in physiological concentrations, and plus 5% of coconut oil instead of 5% of starch it was found that the weigh gain has been increased by 38%, the triglyceride content by 18.4%, and cholesterol by 63.1%. The activity of lysozyme was increased by 2.4-fold in the liver and by 12.5% in the serum. The activity of elastase in the serum was increased (43%) indicating hyperlipemia, reduced nonspecific immunity and development of systemic inflammation. These data indicate the inappropriateness of coconut oil for individuals prone to obesity, hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis.