Influence of Low Carbohydrate High Fat Ketogenic Diets on Renal and Liver Parameters

Abstract

In recent times the use of high fat ketogenic diet as a treatment strategy in some diseases and weight control has been on the increase. This study aims to elucidate the effect of high fat ketogenic diet on some renal and liver parameters. Forty albino rats were used and divided into four groups. Group A was control; B, C, and D were fed with diets including butter, coconut oil and olive oil respectively for eight weeks. Urine and serum samples were assayed spectrophotometrically. There was a significant difference in urinary albumin (0.13±0.01g/dl) of group D when compared with control (0.22 ± 0.03g/dl). Urinary creatinine concentrations of group D (4.32±0.70mg/dl) was higher than group C (1.75±0.46 mg/dl). Urea of group B (39.40±4.70 mg/dl), group C (29.90±1.46 mg/dl) and group D (40.20±2.62mg/dl) were lower than control group (64.20±3.41mg/dl). Serum creatinine concentrations of group B (1.05±0.09mg/dl), group C (0.85±0.07lmg/dl) and group D (1.03±0.07 mg/dl) were reduced significantly. Albumin: creatinine ratio of group A (120.6±32.04) was higher than that of group D (41.31±8.28). AST (260.1±17.80) was higher in group C compared with A (160.1± 9.510). ALT for D (91.20±18.70), group A (36.00±3.84), serum albumin concentrations of group D (3.590±0.1286), group C (3.590±0.1286) and group A (4.100±0.1814). Total protein concentration of group C (5.390±0.2105), D (5.280± 0.1104) and group A (6.190±0.2496g). Body weight of experimental groups reduced while the control groups increased. This study has confirmed that high fat ketogenic diet can be used for weight management however it could be harmful to the liver but did not show any harmful effects on the kidneys.