Effects of Dietary Cottonseed Oil on the Kidney
Sponsored by the Texas Food And Fibers Commission
Project No. e-98-99-2
Project Title: Effects of Dietary Cottonseed Oil on the Kidney
Investigator: Harold Aukema
University/Department: Texas Woman's University / Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Project Scope:
Several studies have shown that diets high in linoleic acid help preserve renal function in animal models. In a study using an animal model of polycystic kidney disease, animals given dietary safflower oil had delayed progression of renal disease compared to animals given a fish oil based diet. Since cottonseed oil has a high level of linoleic acid, it may also promote optimal kidney health. Although the palmitic acid content of the oil has given it somewhat of a tarnished image in the past, recent emphasis on monounsaturated fatty acids may put cottonseed oil in a much better light.
Method of Research:
In the first year of this proposal, animals with renal disease were given diets that varied only in their source of dietary lipid. Dietary lipids included cottonseed oil, cottonseed/peanut oil blend, beef tallow, palm oil, soybean oil (the lipid source used in the American Institute of Nutrition diet for laboratory rodents), or fish oil. The animal used was a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease. This is a good model of renal disease, and it is expected that effects of diet on the kidney will be exaggerated by using this model. In the second year of the study, using another animal model of renal disease, animals were given diets containing fish oil, soybean oil, or cottonseed oil.
Critical Findings:
Results of the first study suggest that the cottonseed oil diets may both reduce renal disease progression as well as prevent fatty liver compared to the other diets utilized in this study (fish oil, soybean oil, palm oil, and beef tallow). The other diets either increased kidney weights (indicating increased disease progression) or increased liver weights (indicating possible fatty livers) relative to the diets containing cottonseed oil. The results of the second study indicate that while fish oil appears to retard disease progression compared to both cottonseed and soybean oil, it increases the liver weights, raising the possibility that it may contribute to fatty livers in these animals. These studies illustrate that more than one animal model must be utilized before conclusions can be made regarding the potential health benefits/risks of a particular functional food or nutriceutical.
Benefits:
The results indicate the possible benefit of including cottonseed oil in the diet in renal disease progression. This project, therefore, has a direct positive effect on the Texas cotton growers. The agricultural producers can be benefited from increased utilization of cottonseed oil while the cottonseed oil users can be benefited from decreasing renal disease progression.
Follow-up Research:
These studies indicate that further investigations into the potential health benefits of cottonseed oil are warranted. Further studies attempting to understand the mechanisms underlying the dietary effects of cottonseed oil on the kidney will help in understanding the potential benefits of cottonseed oil in kidney health and disease.
<%=company%>