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Abstract
Palm oil is widely consumed worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia, where improper storage often leads to increased levels of free fatty acids (FFA). Elevated FFA levels can induce oxidative stress and impair organ function, including the heart. The study aimed to determine the influence of varying FFA levels in palm oil on body weight, total ATPase activity and the histopathological integrity of cardiac tissue in rats. Palm oil samples with FFA levels ranging from 0.4% to 42.7% were fed to six groups of Wistar rats for four weeks. The study observed significant differences in weight gain across groups consuming palm oil
with different FFA levels, the control group show moderate weight gain as baseline for
comparison, the low level FFA group (0.4% FFA) show a significant weight gain suggesting optimal intake of nutrient while the higher level FFA group (28.4% FFA) showed reduce weight gain particular in the 8.4% FFA group. Total ATPase activity was assessed using standard spectrophotometric methods, while histopathological analysis of cardiac tissue was conducted to evaluate structural changes. The study revealed an initial increase in ATPase activity in groups fed moderate FFA levels (4.8%), reflecting potential adaptive metabolic responses. However, higher FFA levels (≥8.4%) led to suppressed ATPase activity, likely due
to oxidative damage. Despite the increase observed in ATPase activity and tissue structure ,no evidence of acute myocardial damage was found in the control and experimental groups. Histopathological analysis showed normal cardiac architecture in the control and palm oil fed groups. The finding underscore the importance of proper palm oil storage to limit FFA accumulation and prevent potential adverse effects on cardiac health.
with different FFA levels, the control group show moderate weight gain as baseline for
comparison, the low level FFA group (0.4% FFA) show a significant weight gain suggesting optimal intake of nutrient while the higher level FFA group (28.4% FFA) showed reduce weight gain particular in the 8.4% FFA group. Total ATPase activity was assessed using standard spectrophotometric methods, while histopathological analysis of cardiac tissue was conducted to evaluate structural changes. The study revealed an initial increase in ATPase activity in groups fed moderate FFA levels (4.8%), reflecting potential adaptive metabolic responses. However, higher FFA levels (≥8.4%) led to suppressed ATPase activity, likely due
to oxidative damage. Despite the increase observed in ATPase activity and tissue structure ,no evidence of acute myocardial damage was found in the control and experimental groups. Histopathological analysis showed normal cardiac architecture in the control and palm oil fed groups. The finding underscore the importance of proper palm oil storage to limit FFA accumulation and prevent potential adverse effects on cardiac health.
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