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LIPIDIC AND GLYCEMIC PROFILES AND CHANGES IN ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE OF RATS TREATED WITH THE CATOLÉ COCONUT OIL

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Native palms of northeastern Brazil produce fruits with high oleaginous contents. The catolé coconut (Syagrus cearensis) stands out due to its high lipidic values (above 60%) in their almonds, mostly lauric acid (45.06%) and phenolic compounds. Considering the benefits of coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) to the reduction of LDL, cholesterol, and abdominal fats, and that the lipid composition of the catolé oil resembles the coconut oil, we investigated the effect of catolé oil supplementation on lipidic and glycemic profiles and abdominal circumference of Wistar rat. Twenty-four male rats (230 g) were distributed in two experimental groups (n = 12): COG (control group) and CAG (catolé oil group). Treatment was done through gavage once a day for four weeks. We provided 5 ml/kg of catolé oil to GAC and the same volume of water to COG. At the end of the treatment, we measured the abdominal circumferences using an inelastic and inextensible tape and collected about 5 ml of blood. The experimental groups did not differ regarding triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL, non-HDL cholesterol and abdominal circumference. The group treated with catolé oil had a significant reduction of glycemia relative to the control. Thus, supplementation with catolé oil did not promote significant changes in lipid profile. However, it significantly reduced glycemia, so this effect should be further investigated since such result reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.