earticle

영어

Most cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are caused by high levels of cholesterol and lipoproteins, specifically Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), in the blood, heart and liver. In response to the growing number of patients with heart-related diseases, this study was conducted to determine the synergistic effects of coconut oil with the leading cholesterollowering medicine, atorvastatin on the lipid profile of guinea pigs (Cavia percellus), particularly the Total Cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (TC: HDL) ratio, which is considered one of the best markers in determining CVD risk. After blood samples were taken for initial lipid analysis, the guinea pigs were subjected to four treatments: coconut oil, statins, statins with coconut, oil and a control group. After two weeks of administering the treatments, blood was extracted again for the new lipoprotein levels. Data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results show that decrease in the TC:HDL ratio induced by coconut oil was lower than the decrease induced by atorvastatin. Interestingly, the group with coconut oil and statins, yielded the greatest decrease in the TC: HCL ratio. This shows the positive synergy of coconut oil and statins in decreasing CVD risk. The information provided in this study will aid in the improvement of current medicine.