Moderate quantity of lard mixed with sunflower oil attenuate lipid accumulation in mice

Effects of camel hump fat, palm olein oil, and corn oil feed additives on plasma lipids and adipose tissues in rats

Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of mortality and is often associated with obesity. Different types of fats and oils may have different effects on cardiovascular disease and obesity. This study investigated the effects of palm olein oil (PO), corn oil (CO), and camel hump fat (CHF) on plasma lipids and white adipose tissues of rats. A total of 18 male albino rats were divided equally into three groups. Each group was fed a diet containing one of these types of oils and fats for 8 weeks. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total triglyceride (TG), glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed in blood plasma. Body mass index (BMI), body weight gain (%BWG), and the weight of adipose tissues were investigated. The results showed no significant differences between groups in TC. However, the highest level of HDL-C was observed in the CHF group, with no significant differences in the PO group and a significant decrease in the CO group. The CHF group showed a significant reduction in LDL-C, blood glucose levels, and the atherosclerosis index compared with the other groups. Furthermore, the lowest TG level was observed in the CHF group, with no significant difference compared with the CO group. The PO group showed a significant decrease in the ALT level compared with the other groups. The lowest AST level was observed in the PO group, with no significant difference compared with the CO group. A significant decrease in the percentage of total adipose tissues, namely epididymal, retroperitoneal, and perirenal cells, was observed in the CHF group. In conclusion, CHF consumption may have a positive effect on plasma lipids and obesity. Moreover, we recommend the completion of research to identify the optimal combination of vegetable oils and CHF for achieving a balance among the health indicators included in this study.

Comparison of Lipid Composition between Quasipaa spinosa Oil and Rana catesbeiana Oil and Its Effect on Lipid Accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Frog oil has been recognized for its nutritional and medicinal value. However, there is limited research on the role of frog oil in preventing obesity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the lipid composition of Quasipaa spinosa oil (QSO) and Rana catesbeiana oil (RCO) using lipidomics analysis. We compared the lipid accumulation effects of these two kinds of frog oils and soybean oil (SO) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Additionally, we determined the gene expression related to lipid metabolism and used the nhr-49 mutant (RB1716) and sir-2.1 mutant (VC199) for validation experiments. The results showed that the lipid composition of QSO and RCO was significantly different (p < 0.05), and QSO was rich in more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). After feeding C. elegans, the lipid accumulation of the QSO group was the lowest among the three dietary oil groups. In addition, compared with RCO and SO, QSO significantly inhibited the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The effects of three kinds of dietary oils on the fatty acid composition of C. elegans were significantly different. Compared with SO and RCO, QSO significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05) the expression of sir-2.1 and ech-1 genes. The results showed that QSO might reduce lipid accumulation through the SIRT1 and nuclear hormone signaling pathways. Such a situation was verified experimentally by the nhr-49 mutant (RB1716) and sir-2.1 mutant (VC199). This study proposed a new functional oil, laying the groundwork for developing functional foods from Quasipaa spinosa.

Chemical Characterization and In Vivo Toxicological Safety Evaluation of Emu Oil

In this study, the physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, antioxidant activities, and in vitro as well as in vivo toxicological safety of emu oil were investigated. Emu oil was shown to have a low acid and peroxide value, low amounts of carotenoid and phenolic compounds, and high doses of oleic acid and linoleic acid. Furthermore, in a bacterial reverse mutation assay, emu oil demonstrated no change in the amount of revertant colonies for all strains. In a chromosomal assay, no aberrations occurred in any of the emu oil treatment groups (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μg/mL). In the bone marrow micronucleus test, emu oil up to 20 mL/kg showed no significant increase in the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. Moreover, emu oil up to 19.3 mg/kg body weight did not affect body weight in an acute oral toxicity study. These results are crucial for the adoption of emu oil as an alternative source of edible oil.