The Effects of Vitamin E from Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) in a Rat Model of Bone Loss Due to Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

The beneficial effects of vitamin E in improving components of MetS or bone loss have been established. This study aimed to investigate the potential of palm vitamin E (PVE) as a single agent, targeting MetS and bone loss concurrently, using a MetS animal model. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The baseline group was sacrificed upon arrival. The normal group was given standard rat chow. The remaining three groups were fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet and treated with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle), 60 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PVE. At the end of the study, the rats were evaluated for MetS parameters and bone density. After euthanasia, blood and femurs were harvested for the evaluation of lipid profile, bone histomorphometric analysis, and remodeling markers. PVE improved blood pressure, glycemic status, and lipid profile; increased osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, bone volume, and trabecular thickness, as well as decreased eroded surface and single-labeled surface. Administration of PVE also significantly reduced leptin level in the HCHF rats. PVE is a potential agent in concurrently preventing MetS and protecting bone loss. This may be, in part, achieved by reducing the leptin level and modulating the bone remodeling activity in male rats.

Keywords: dyslipidemia; hyperglycemia; hypertension; obesity; osteoporosis; tocopherol; tocotrienol.

Figure 1

Fold changes in the MetS parameters of the normal, HCHF, HCHF+60PVE, and HCHF+100PVE animals, as compared to the baseline animals. The data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Letter ‘*’ indicates significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the normal group and ‘#’ indicates significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the HCHF group. Abbreviations: HCHF, high-carbohydrate high-fat; PVE, palm vitamin E.