Research Article

High-fat diet from avocado oil as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Background: One of the risk factors for the present global burden of metabolic disorders is poor dietary habits, particularly excessive consumption of high-fat diets. There have been debates over the contributions of plant high-fat diets to these disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of high-fat consumption from Avocado pear Persea  mericana on some nutritional parameters linked to cardiovascular diseases, using Wistar rats. Methods: Fifteen adult Wistar rats, weighing between 60 and 70g, were grouped into three of five rats per group. Group one (control) was fed with normal rat diet, group two was fed with normal diet plus low quantity of fat diet (5g of avocado pear pulp), while group three was fed normal meal plus high quantity of fat diet (10g of avocado pear pulp). The treatment lasted 14 days during which the weights of the rats were measured every two days. The rats were then bled through the ocular veins. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride) were measured using ion-selective electrodes, while the concentrations of fasting blood glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, high density cholesterol, low-density cholesterol, very low-density cholesterol and triglycerides) were determined spectrophotometrically. The results were analysed using GraphPad Prism (version 10.6.1). Results: The results showed that body weights increased progressively across all groups, with the highest gain observed in the group 3. There was no significant differences in the electrolyte concentrations of the three groups. Treated groups exhibited statistically significant decreases in blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density cholesterol and lowdensity cholesterol, while very low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides significantly increased in treated rats when compared to control group (p < 0.05 each). Conclusion: The results showed that plant high-fat diet induced hypertrglyceridemia in Wistar rats, with severity dependent on fat concentration. The findings suggest that heavy or prolonged intake of plant high-fat diets can predispose to metabolic disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the importance of dietary regulation in preventing cardiovascular and diabetic complications.