Impact of dietary red palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) on liver architecture and antioxidant status in the blood and liver of male Wistar rats

Abstract

Antioxidant status and liver histopathology in male rats fed with different doses of red palm oil (RPO) were investigated. Liver and plasma ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total glutathione (GSHt) in the red blood cells (RBC) as well as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the RBC and liver were determined. Our results showed no significant differences (p>0.05) in both liver and plasma FRAP and RBC GSHt in the RPO fed groups when compared with the control group. CAT activities significantly increased (p<0.05) at both 2 ml and 4 ml RPO groups in both the liver and RBC. GPx activities in the RBC significantly (p<0.05) increased at 2 ml and 4 ml RPO when compared with the control group. RPO did not significantly increase SOD in the RBC while its activities were increased in the liver. There were no histopathological alterations in the liver of RPO fed groups when compared with the control rats. In conclusion, red palm oil could up-regulate the levels of antioxidant enzymes and hence, its dietary consumption could help to boost antioxidant status in the body and thus promote overall well-being.