Effects of virgin coconut oil consumption on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Background and aim

Metabolic syndrome is associated with health conditions and neurological disorders. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a protective role on the nervous system. Decreased levels of BDNF have been shown in MetS and neurodegenerative diseases. There is promising evidence regarding the anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of virgin coconut oil (VCO). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of VCO consumption on serum BDNF levels, oxidative stress status, and insulin resistance in adults with MetS.

Methods

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 48 adults with MetS aged 20–50 years. The intervention group received 30 ml of VCO daily to substitute the same amounts of oil in their usual diet. The control group continued their usual diet. Serum BDNF levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as HOMA-IR and QUICKI index were measured after four weeks of intervention.

Results

VCO consumption significantly reduced serum levels of MDA (p = .01), fasting insulin (p < .01) and HOMA-IR index (p < .01) and increased serum TAC (p < .01) and QUICKI index (p = .01) compared to the control group. Serum BDNF levels increased significantly in VCO group compared to the baseline (p = .02); however, this change was not significant when compared to the control group (p = .07).

Conclusion

VCO consumption improved oxidative stress status and insulin resistance and had a promising effect on BDNF levels in adults with MetS. Further studies are needed to understand the long-term effects of VCO consumption.

KEYWORDS:

• Metabolic syndrome
• brain-derived neurotrophic factor
• virgin coconut oil
• oxidative stress
• insulin resistance
• clinical trial
• antioxidant status
• neurodegenerative disease‌

Acknowledgments

We thank the research vice-chancellor of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, for the financial support and the subjects who participated in the current study.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, MH, upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Notes on contributors

Elahe Mansouri

Elahe Mansouri, is Master of Science student in Nutritional Sciences at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She studied Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

Somayyeh Asghari

Somayyeh Asghari, PhD, is assistant professor of Nutritional Sciences at the Department of Clinical Nutrition in School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics. Dr. Asghari studied Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nutritional Sciences. Dr. Asghari has focused much of his work on the field of clinical nutrition and currently is the head of Clinical Nutrition ward in Shariati Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Asghari has published more than 30 research papers.

Parinaz Nikooei

Parinaz Nikooei, MSc, is Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition. She studied Bachelor of Science in Nutritional sciences at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Currently, she works in a hospital at nutrition ward.

Mehdi Yaseri

Mehdi Yaseri, PhD, is professor of Biostatistics at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Public Health School. Dr. Yaseri studied Bachelor of Science in Statistics at Tehran University ND Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biostatistics at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Yaseri is the Statistics editor of Archives of Iranian Medicine (AIM) Journal, executive editor in Journal of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (JBE) and a member of the editorial board in SM Journal of Biometrics & Biostatistics. Dr. Yaseri has published more than 600 research papers.

Ali Vasheghani-Farahani

Ali Vasheghani-Farahani, MD, is professor of Medicine, Clinical Cardiologist, and fellowship of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Cardiology Department in School of Medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Vasheghani-Farahani is currently the dean of Tehran Heart Center. Dr. Vasheghani-Farahani has published more than 150 research papers in the field of preventive cardiology <https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=search_authors&hl=en&mauthors=label:preventive_cardiology> and Electrophysiology <https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=search_authors&hl=en&mauthors=label:electrophysiology>.

Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar

Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar, MD, PhD, is professor of Nutrition and head of Department of Clinical Nutrition in School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Dr. Hosseinzadeh studied Medicine at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Nutrition at University College London, UK. <https://www.ucl.ac.uk/> Dr. Hosseinzadeh has focused much of his work on studying the effects of diet and the role of adipose tissue on the occurrence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases and has published more than 120 original research papers in prestigious journals. <https://www.ucl.ac.uk/>