Comparative Effect of Coconut Oil and Palm Kernel Oil Supplemented Diets on Na+/K+ -Atpase Activity in the Liver, Kidney and Heart of Rats
S. O. Asagba¹*, J. O. T. Emudainohwo², D. E. Ejebe²and M. S. Suru³1Department of Biochemistry, Delta State Unjiversity, Abraka Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University, Abraka Nigeria.
3Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan Nigeria.
Corresponding Author E-mail: asagbabch@yahoo.com
Abstract: We investigated the comparative effects of coconut oil (10% w/w) and palm kernel oil (10% w/w) supplemented diets on the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in the liver, kidney and heart tissues. Control group was fed growers mash, coconut oil group was fed growers mash and coconut oil (10% w/w) and palm kernel group was fed growers mash and palm kernel oil (10% w/w). Rats were fed for 6 weeks and then sacrificed. The mean body weight gain was significantly (p< 0.05) increased in both coconut oil and palm kernel oil fed rats relative to control rats. Changes in organ weight was only significant (p<0.05) for liver weight in animals fed oil supplemented diets. Coconut oil and palm kernel oil supplemented diet exerted a significant (p< 0.05) increase in the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in the various tissues. The highest activity of this enzyme in these tissues was observed in rats fed palm kernel oil supplemented diet. The results show that both oil supplemented diets exerted a significant increase in Na+/K+-ATPase activity in these tissues. This alteration in Na+/K+-ATPase activity is expected to exert a significant impact on the electrophysiological and metabolic functions of the heart, kidney and liver.
Keywords: Coconut oil; Palm kernel oil; Na+/K+-ATPase Activity Back to TOC