Lipid Profile and Antioxidant Enzymes in Normal and Stressed Rat Fed with Palm Olein

Problem statement: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of Red Palm Olein (RPO) and Palm Olein (PO) on lipid profile and antioxidant enzyme in normal and stressed rat. Approach: Thirty six Sprague Dawley male rats which were randomly divided into six groups of 6 rats per group (tree normal groups and three stressed groups) were treated with 15% of RPO and PO for four weeks. Results: The results at 4 weeks of treatment showed a decline in Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) level at RPO and PO for normal and stressed groups compared to the control group. The High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) level increased in RPO and PO of the normal and stressed groups. There was significant decreased (p≤0.05) in the TC in RPO normal group for 4 weeks of treatment compared to the control group while the TC in PO was within the normal range and increased in stressed group. After 4 weeks of treatment the study indicated that there was no significant (p≥0.05) effect on antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase) in stressed rat liver but there was a significant decreased (p≤0.05) on catalase in stressed rat liver. Conclusion: These results could be due to the high content of vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) and β-carotene in red palm olein.