Influence of Thermoxidized and Fresh Palm Oil Diets on Some Mineral Contents of the Femur Bone of Growing Wistar Rats

Abstract

The effect of thermoxidized and fresh palm oil diets on some mineral contents of the femur bone of growing Wistar rats was studied. Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups (A, B and C) of eight rats each, and fed on thermoxidized palm oil, fresh palm oil and normal (control) rats diets respectively for fourteen weeks. Each of the palm oil diets contained 15 % (w/w) thermoxidized or fresh palm oil. The calcium concentration of the femur of the thermoxidized palm oil group (85.50+0.82 ppm) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that of the control (103. 67+0.12 ppm) and that of the fresh palm oil group (100.56+0.2ppm). The magnesium concentration of the femur of the thermoxidized palm oil group (15.81+1.11 ppm) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that of the control (18:73+0.8 ppm) and that of the fresh palm oil group (18.00+1.21 ppm). The copper concentration of the femur of the thermoxidized palm oil group (8.85+0.8 ppm) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that of the control group (12.5+0.5 ppm) and that of the fresh palm oil group (11.6+0.65 ppm). Our results suggest that chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil diets may interfere with the normal mineralization process in bones of growing rats.