Coconut Oil Aggravates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiomyopathy without Inducing Obesity, Systemic Insulin Resistance, or Cardiac Steatosis

Abstract

Studies evaluating the effects of high-saturated fat diets on cardiac function are most often confounded by diet-induced obesity and by systemic insulin resistance. We evaluated whether coconut oil, containing C12:0 and C14:0 as main fatty acids, aggravates pressure overload-induced cardiomyopathy induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in C57BL/6 mice. Mortality rate after TAC was higher (p < 0.05) in 0.2% cholesterol 10% coconut oil diet-fed mice than in standard chow-fed mice (hazard ratio 2.32, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 4.64) during eight weeks of follow-up. The effects of coconut oil on cardiac remodeling occurred in the absence of weight gain and of systemic insulin resistance. Wet lung weight was 1.76-fold (p < 0.01) higher in coconut oil mice than in standard chow mice. Myocardial capillary density (p < 0.001) was decreased, interstitial fibrosis was 1.88-fold (p < 0.001) higher, and systolic and diastolic function was worse in coconut oil mice than in standard chow mice. Myocardial glucose uptake was 1.86-fold (p < 0.001) higher in coconut oil mice and was accompanied by higher myocardial pyruvate dehydrogenase levels and higher acetyl-CoA carboxylase levels. The coconut oil diet increased oxidative stress. Myocardial triglycerides and free fatty acids were lower (p < 0.05) in coconut oil mice. In conclusion, coconut oil aggravates pressure overload-induced cardiomyopathy.

Successful treatment of established heart failure in mice with recombinant HDL (Milano)

“…To induce pressure overload, the TAC procedure was executed as described before (Muthuramu et al, ). Briefly, anaesthesia was induced with a single i.p.…”

“…Invasive haemodynamic measurements were performed 56 or 65 days after TAC or after sham operation as described previously (Muthuramu et al, ). Mice were anaesthetized by i.p.…”

“…Histological and morphometric analyses were executed as described previously (Muthuramu et al, ). After haemodynamic analysis, mice were perfused via the abdominal aorta with PBS and hearts were arrested in diastole by KCl (100 μL; 0.1 mol·L −1 ), followed by perfusion fixation with 1% paraformaldehyde in PBS.…”

Antimicrobial Emulsifier–Glycerol Monolaurate Induces Metabolic Syndrome, Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis, and Systemic Low‐Grade Inflammation in Low‐Fat Diet Fed Mice

“…Furthermore, Muthuramu et al. demonstrated that coconut oil containing rich GML aggravated pressure overload‐induced cardiomyopathy . However, it remained unknown whether GML produces any effect on metabolic syndrome.…”

Dillenia indica fruit extract has Glucose and Cholesterol Lowering effects

“…In this experiment, we not only added 1% cholesterol but also 5% coconut oil in the diet because coconut oil normally enhances cholesterol and LDL to a greater extent than cholesterol alone, as reported previously [63]. Moreover, coconut oil decreases myocardial capillary density and aggravates cardiomyopathy [64]. Thus 1% cholesterol with 5% coconut oil diet was sufficient to make the rats hypercholesterolemic in this study.…”