ABSTRACT
The study was designed with the objective of assessing the protective effects of Cocos nucifera l (coconut water) on Lead nitrate induced lipid profile changes of wistar albino rat induced by lead nitrate. Forty-eight (48) healthy albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) of average weight of approximately 154kg were distributed randomly in to 4 groups of 3 replicates with 4 rats each. Group d serve as the healthy control (feed and water only). 0.6g/l lead salt were administered orally to rat in group a, in group b, rats were exposed to 0.6g/l (4g/kg bwt) lead salt and 2ml ofcoconut water (Cocos nucifera l), lastly in group c, 2ml (15mg/kg bwt) of Cocos nucifera l (coconut water) was administered. This lasted for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of each 3-week period, 3 rats from each group were sacrificed under mild diethyl ether anesthesia, 24 hours after cessation of treatment. Blood sample where collected and use for biochemical and morphological analysis and subsequently analyzed for lipid profile parameter. Changes results from the study, revealed that there was no significant difference between the different groups (group a to d, p>0.05). Oral exposure to lead caused elevated level of TC, LDL, TG, LDL/HDL and TC/HDL while HDL decreases when compared with the healthy control (group d). Oral administration of coconut water, ameliorate the effect of lead on lipid profile of wistar rat. TC, LDL, TG, LDL/HDL and TC/HDL decreases while HDL increases. Furthermore, exposure to lead decrease the weight of wistar rat when compared with the healthy control, while coconut water ameliorates this effect. Induction of oxidative stress and disturbing lipid profile may be responsible for the adverse cellular effects of lead. Also, the beneficial effect of coconut water is because of the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of coconut water. Lastly, it is a source of saturated fat that would not elevate the lipid profile in the body, except high density lipoprotein (HDL).These results indicate that coconut water could ameliorate the effects of lead toxicity on lipid profile
