The cardioprotective effect of extra virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Routine consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) may improve cardiovascular function. This study examined the cardioprotective effect of the combination of EVOO and VCO on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Rats (n = 30) were divided into five groups: a healthy group, an isoproterenol group without treatment, and three treatment groups that were given an EVOO-VCO combination at 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 (2 mL/200 g) orally for 14 days before injecting isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) for two consecutive days. After 24 hours, blood samples were taken to analyse cardiac biomarkers, and the heart was examined for histopathological changes. Isoproterenol injection caused a substantial increase in the creatine kinase-myocardial band, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Pretreatment with an EVOO-VCO combination in all ratios significantly reduced these biomarker levels (p < 0.05). Myocardial damage was significantly reduced, especially with the EVOO-VCO combination of 2:1. In conclusion, the EVOO-VCO combination significantly reduced cardiac injury biomarker levels and improved myocardial structure in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. The EVOO-VCO combination of 2:1 was superior in preserving myocardial structure compared to the other ratios.