Selective cholesterol deposition in the kidney tissue of rats fed palm kernel oil diet

Plasma and tissue lipids were determined in twenty-four rats fed on locally prepared 'Ogi' diet containing palm kernel oil (PKO), red palm oil (RPO) and mixture of both oils. Fasting blood sample was obtained from each animal by cardiac puncture under light ether anesthesia after feeding on different diets for twelve weeks. There were significant variations in the mean liver, kidney, spleen (p < 0.001, p < 0.03, p < 0.002) tissue weights in the different dietary groups compared with the corresponding control values. The plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in the dietary group showed no significant changes when compared with the corresponding control values. The liver, spleen and heart total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different from the corresponding values in the control group, but within group analysis showed significantly elevated total cholesterol in the kidney tissue of rats consuming PKO diet (p < 0.001). The total cholesterol level in rats consuming PKO diet was significantly higher than the corresponding concentration in those consuming the diet containing a mixture of PKO + RPO [p < 0.02] and control (p < 0.02) diets. There was also a significant increased in the kidney tissue cholesterol of rats fed RPO diet when compared with the corresponding control value (p < 0.05). The histological findings revealed no abnormality except in rats fed on PKO and RPO diets where nephrocalcinosis was found.