Effect of dietary vegetable oil consumption on blood glucose levels, lipid profile and weight in diabetic mice: an experimental case—control study

BACKGROUND: Free fatty acids have been reported to impair insulin action; Dietary fat composition has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance as well as fasting glycaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This work was designed to determine the benefits of consuming vegetable oils on the management of diabetes in diabetic mice. METHODS: Forty eight (48) maledb/db diabetic mice were randomly divided into eight groups of six. The first four groups were fed on chow (control), 10 % Red palm oil feed, 10 % groundnut oil feed, and 10 % coconut oil feed. The second four groups were fed similar to the first four groups but in addition were administered glibenclamide (2 mg/kg -wt i.p) daily at 8. AM. RESULTS: Plasma glucose in the diabetic mice was significantly reduced after consuming diets fortified with 10 % palm oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil and also in mice additionally treated with glibenclamide. In mice that were not treated glibenclamide, treatment with groundnut oil reduced total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and raised plasma HDL. Plasma triglycerides were unchanged. Palm oil and coconut oil had no effect on any of the plasma lipids. In mice that were treated glibenclamide, the control and palm oil treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (p < 0.05). The control, groundnut oil, palm oil and coconut oil significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma LDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol was raised in groundnut oil, and coconut oil. Plasma triglycerides were raised in only on groundnut oil. CONCLUSION: Ten percent fortified vegetable oil feeds (red palm oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil) significantly improved lipid profile and significantly reduced blood glucose in diabetic mice. Groundnut oil raised HDL and lowered LDL even in mice given glibenclamide but it did not lower total cholesterol in mice given glibenclamid