Rice Bran Oil Compared to Atorvastatin for Treatment of 

Marie-Christine Shakib, Shreef Gabrial, Gamal Gabrial

National Research Centre - Food Science and Nutrition, El Buhouth street, Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of rice bran oil versus statins (atorvastatin drug) on blood

glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The safety of the tested rice bran oil and atorvastatin were investigated. Fatty acids contents of

RBO, olive and sesame oil were also assessed.

Materials and Methods: Forty four eligible patients with type 2 diabetes and moderately

hyperlipidemic were randomly and equally allocated into two groups, rice bran oil (RBO) group and

atorvastatin group. The RBO group received a low-calorie diet and consumed 30 g / day RBO oil as

salad dressing and for use as main cooking oil for 6 months. The Atorvastatin group received a lowcalorie

diet and 40 mg/day of atorvastatin drug for 6 months. At baseline and after 6 months of

study intervention, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum lipid profiles; hepatic,

renal and inflammatory biomarkers were estimated.

Results: Results showed significant increase in fasting and postprandial blood glucose, HbA1C

and liver transaminases (alanine transaminase ALT and aspartate transaminase AST) in the

atorvastatin group while a significant reduction was shown in RBO group. Moreover, significant

reductions in lipid profile levels, blood urea, serum uric acid and erythrocyte sedimentation rate

(ESR) were observed in both RBO and atorvastatin groups after 6 months of the study intervention.

Conclusion: The use of rice bran oil together with dietary modifications may have implications in

lowering fasting and postprandial blood glucose, suppressing serum lipid levels, reduce the

TC/HDL-C ratio and therefore reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, RBO exerts a

hypouricemic action and anti-inflammatory effects. The findings obtained from the current study

reinforce the use of RBO as an alternative natural potent hypolipidemic agent safer than

atorvastatin drug that may induce side effects in some cases in patients intolerant to statins.