In this study, we compared the lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes of normal and diabetic subjects consuming two different
types of oil as cooking medium. 70 normal, healthy subjects were taken as controls and 70 subjects with Type 2 diabetes were
recruited in patient group. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups of 35 subjects each, consuming coconut oil
and sunflower oil respectively as cooking medium. Samples of blood were collected and analyzed for serum total cholesterol,
triacylglycerols, and cholesterol in lipoprotein fractions. Total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were measured in
erythrocytes and superoxide dismutase in serum. Triacylglycerols, LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels were high in the diabetic
subjects compared to the controls. Total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values showed significant decrease in diabetic
subjects as compared to the controls, while superoxide dismutase values showed significant difference between coconut oil
consuming groups. Though lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress were high in Type 2 diabetic subjects compared to controls,
no pronounced changes for these parameters were observed between the subgroups (coconut oil vs. sunflower oil).
Key Words Type 2 diabetes - Lipid profile - Glutathione - Glutathione peroxidase - Superoxide dismutase