Dietary saturated fat level alters the competition between α-linolenic and linoleic acid

Male weanling rats were fed semi-synthetic diets high in saturated fat (beef tallow) vs high in linoleic acid (safflower oil) with or without high levels of α-linolenic acid (linseed oil) for a period of 28 days. The effect of feeding these diets on cholesterol content and fatty acid composition of serum and liver lipids was examined. Feeding linseed oil with beef tallow or safflower oil had no significant effect on serum levels of cholesterol. Serum cholesterol concentration was higher in animals fed the safflower oil diet than in animals fed the beef tallow diet without linseed oil. Feeding linseed oil lowered the cholesterol content in liver tissue for all dietary treatments tested. Consumption of linseed oil reduced the arachidonic acid content with concomitant increase in linoleic acid in serum and liver lipid fractions only when fed in combination with beef tallow, but not when fed with safflower oil. Similarly, ω3 fatty acids (18∶3ω3, 20∶5ω3, 22∶5ω3, 22∶6ω3) replaced ω6 fatty acids (20∶4ω6, 22∶4ω6) in serum and liver lipid fractions to a greater extent when linseed oil was fed with beef tallow than with safflower oil. The results suggest that the dietary ratio of linoleic acid to saturated fatty acids or of 18∶3ω3 to 18∶2ω6 may be important to determine the cholesterol and arachidonic acid lowering effect of dietary α-linolenic acid.     

Fertility and testicular fatty acid composition in the chicken as influenced by vitamin E and ethoxyquin

The fatty acid composition of testicular lipids has been determined and related to fertility data from groups of dubbed White Leghorn cockerels after a 50-week feeding period on rations containing 10% safflower oil or coconut oil. Supplements of ethoxyquin ord-α-tocopherol acetate maintained fertility in birds raised on rations containing safflower oils. This response was associated with higher proportions of 22∶4 ω6 and lower proportions of 18∶2 ω6 in testicular lipids. Testes size was quite variable in the unsupplemented group with changes in fatty acid composition being more pronounced in the smaller testes. A multiple regression was calculated using data from those birds on the safflower oil ration. With a correlation ratio of 0.90 fertility was expressed as a function of testes size, semen concentration and the proportions of 18∶2 ω6, 20∶4 ω6 and 22∶4 ω6 in testicular lipids. Despite the low intake of linoleate significant levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were maintained in testicular lipids of birds fed the coconut oil rations. The major changes in fatty acid composition of testicular lipids produced by this variable was a decrease in the proportion of 18∶2 ω6 and an increase in the proportion of 18∶1. Paper No. 3050, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Effect of low intake of n−3 fatty acids during development on brain phospholipid fatty acid composition and exploratory behavior in rats

The effect of dietary restriction of n−3 fatty acids during development on brain phospholipid fatty acid composition and exploratory behavior has been studied in male Sprague Dawley rats. Female rats were fed semipurified diets containing either 5.5% safflower oil or 6% soybean oil for 6 wk prior to mating and throughout gestation and lactation. Control rats were maintained on laboratory chow. The male pups were weaned to the diets of the dams except for one group which was switched from safflower to soybean oil at weaning. Behavioral studies and brain phospholipid analyses were conducted at 16–18 wk of age. Rats fed safflower oil showed significantly lower levels of 22∶6n−3 in phospholipids of synaptic membranes and myelin than rats fed soybean oil or chow. The decrease in 22∶6n−3 was compensated for by an increase in 22∶5n−6, the total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids remaining approximately constant. The brain phospholipid fatty acid composition of rats switched from safflower to soybean oil at weaning was similar to that of rats fed soybean oil throughout the experiment. There was no difference in spontaneous locomotor activity among the different dietary groups. However, rats raised on safflower oil displayed a significantly lower exploratory activity (horizontal movements and rearings) in a novel environment than rats fed soybean oil or chow. In contrast to the brain phospholipid fatty acid composition, there was no recovery of exploratory behavior in rats raised on safflower oil and switched to soybean oil at weaning suggesting a specific requirement of n−3 fatty acids during development.     

Differential effects of dietary linoleic and α-linolenic acid on lipid metabolism in rat tissues

Comparative effects of feeding dietary linoleic (safflower oil) and α-linolenic (linseed oil) acids on the cholesterol content and fatty acid composition of plasma, liver, heart and epididymal fat pads of rats were examined. Animals fed hydrogenated beef tallow were used as isocaloric controls. Plasma cholesterol concentration was lower and the cholesterol level in liver increased in animals fed the safflower oil diet. Feeding the linseed oil diet was more effective in lowering plasma cholesterol content and did not result in cholesterol accumulation in the liver. The cholesterol concentration in heart and the epididymal fat pad was not affected by the type of dietary fatty acid fed. Arachidonic acid content of plasma lipids was significantly elevated in animals fed the safflower oil diet and remained unchanged by feeding the linseed oil diet, when compared with the isocaloric control animals fed hydrogenated beef tallow. Arachidonic acid content of liver and heart lipids was lower in animals fed diets containing safflower oil or linseed oil. Replacement of 50% of the safflower oil in the diet with linseed oil increased α-linolenic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in plasma, liver, heart and epididymal fat pad lipids. These results suggest that dietary 18∶2ω6 shifts cholesterol from plasma to liver pools followed by redistribution of 20∶4ω6 from tissue to plasma pools. This redistribution pattern was not apparent when 18∶3ω3 was included in the diet.     

Influence of dietary fat composition on intestinal absorption in the rat

Omega-3 fatty acids influence the function of the intestinal brush border membrane. For example, the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (20∶5ω3) has an antiabsorptive effect on jejunal uptake of glucose. This study was undertaken to determine whether the effect of feeding α-linolenic acid (18∶3ω3) or EPA plus docosahexaenoic acid (22∶6ω3) on intestinal absorption of nutrients was influenced by the major source of dietary lipid, hydrogenated beef tallow or safflower oil. Thein vitro intestinal uptake of glucose, fatty acids and cholesterol was examined in rats fed isocaloric diets for 2 weeks: beef tallow, beef tallow + linolenic acid, beef tallow + eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid, safflower oil, safflower oil + linolenic acid, or safflower oil + eicosapentaenic acid/docosahexaenoic acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid reduced jejunal uptake of 10 and 20 mM glucose only when fed with beef tallow, and not when fed with safflower oil. Linolenic acid had no effect on glucose uptake, regardless of whether it was fed with beef tallow or safflower oil. The jejunal uptake a long-chain fatty acids (18∶0, 18∶2ω6, 18∶3ω3, 20∶4ω6, 20∶5ω3 and 22∶6ω3) and cholesterol was lower in salfflower oil than with beef tallow. When eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid was given with beef tallow (but not with safflower oil), there was lower uptake of 18∶0, 20∶5ω3 and cholesterol. The demonstration of the inhibitory effect of linolenic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid on cholesterol uptake required the feeding of a saturated fatty acid diet (beef tallow). These changes in uptake were not explained by differences in the animals’ food intake, body weight gain or intestinal weight. Feeding safflower oil was associated with an approximately 25% increase in the jejunal and ileal mucosal surface area, but this increase was prevented by combining linolenic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid with safflower oil. Different inhibitory patterns were observed when mixtures of fatty acids were present together in the incubation medium, rather than in the diet: for example, when 18∶0 was in the incubation medium with 20∶4ω6, the uptake of 20∶4ω6 was reduced, whereas the uptake was unaffected by 18∶2ω6 or 20∶5ω3. Thus, (1) the inhibitory effect of eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid on jejunal uptake of glucose, fatty acids and cholesterol was influenced by the major dietary lipid, saturated (beef tallow) or polyunsaturated fatty acid (safflower oil); and (2) different omega-3 fatty acids (linolenic acid versus eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) have a variable influence on the intestinal absorption of nutrients.     

Effect of n−3 fatty acid deficiency on fatty acid composition and metabolism of aminophospholipids in rat brain synaptosomes

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22∶6n−3) is one of the major polyunsaturated fatty acids esterified predominantly in aminophospholipids such as ethanolamine glycerophospholipid (EtnGpl) and serine glycerophospholipid (SerGpl) in the brain. Synaptosomes prepared from rats fed an n−3 fatty acid-deficient safflower oil (Saf) diet had significantly decreased 22∶6n−3 content with a compensatory increased 22∶5n−6 content when compared with rats fed an n−3 fatty acid-sufficient perilla oil (Per) diet. When the Saf group was shifted to a diet supplemented with safflower oil plus 22∶6n−3 (Saf+DHA) after weaning, 22∶6n−3 content was found to be restored to the level of the Per group. The uptake of [³H]ethanolamine and its conversion to [³H]EtnGpl did not differ significantly among the three dietary groups, whereas the formation of [³H]lysoEtnGpl from [³H]ethanolamine was significantly lower in the Saf group than in the other groups. The uptake of [³H]serine, its incorporation into [³H]SerGpl, and the conversion into [³H]EtnGpl by decarboxylation of [³H]SerGpl did not differ among the three dietary groups. The observed decrease in lysoEtnGpl formation associated with a reduction of 22∶6n−3 content in rat brain synaptosomes by n−3 fatty acid deprivation may provide a clue to reveal biochemical bases for the dietary fatty acids-behavior link.     

trans fatty acids. 4. Effects on fatty acid composition of colostrum and milk

trans Isometric fatty acids of partially hydrogenated fish oil (PHFO) consist oftrans 20∶1 andtrans 22∶1 in addition to thetrans isomers of 18∶1, which are abundant in hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as in partially hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSBO). The effects of dietarytrans fatty acids in PHFO and PHSBO on the fatty acid composition of milk were studied at 0 (colostrum) and 21 dayspostpartum in sows. The dietary fats were PHFO (28%trans), or PHSBO (36%trans) and lard. Sunflower seed oil (4%) was added to each diet. The fats were fed from three weeks of age throughout the lactation period of Experiment 1. In Experiment 2 PHFO or “fully” hydrogenated fish oil (HFO) (19%trans), in comparison with coconut oil (CF) (0%trans), was fed with two levels of dietary linoleic acid, 1 and 2.7% from conception throughout the lactation period. Feedingtrans-containing fats led to secretion oftrans fatty acids in the milk lipids. Levels oftrans 18∶1 andtrans 20∶1 in milk lipids, as percentages of totalcis+trans 18∶1 andcis+trans 20∶1, respectively, were about 60% of that of the dietary fats, with no significant differences between PHFO and PHSBO. The levels were similar for colostrum and milk. Feeding HFO gave relatively lesstrans 18∶1 andtrans 20∶1 fatty acids in milk lipids than did PHFO and PHSBO. Only low levels ofcis+trans 22∶1 were found in milk lipids. Feedingtrans-containing fat had no consistent effects on the level of polyenoic fatty acids but reduced the level of saturated fatty acids and increased the level ofcis+trans monoenoic fatty acids. Increasing the dietary level of linoleic acid had no effect on the secretion oftrans fatty acids but increased the level of linoleic acid in milk. The overall conclusion was that the effect of dietary fats containingtrans fatty acids on the fat content and the fatty acid composition of colostrum and milk in sows were moderate to minor.     

Interactive effects of prenatal ethanol and N−3 fatty acid supplementation on brain development in mice

This study assesses the combined effects on brain and behavioral development of ethanol administration and supplementation of the maternal diet with long chain n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. From day 7 to 17 of gestation, pregnant mice were fed equivalent daily amounts of isocaloric liquid diets; 20% of the energy was provided by either ethanol or maltose-dextrin, and a further 20% by either safflower oil (rich in linoleic acid, 18∶2n−6), or a combination of safflower oil with a fish oil concentrate (rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, 20∶5n−3, and docosahexaenoic acid, 22∶6n−3). On day 18 the liquid diets were replaced by lab chow; a fifth group was maintained on lab chow throughout the experiment. Measures on the pups included brain weight and the fatty acid composition of the brain phospholipids on days 22 and 32 post-conception (birth=day 19), as well as behavioral development. Maternal weight gain during gestation was decreased by ethanol relative to maltose-dextrin, and increased by fish relative to safflower oil. On day 32, the brain weight of ethanoltreated animals fed fish oil was greater than their safflower oil controls, whereas the reverse was true in the two maltose-dextrin groups; a similar trend was apparent on day 22. The brain phospholipid content of the longer chain fatty acids (20∶4n−6, 22∶4n−6, 22∶5n−6, 20∶5n−3, 22∶5n−3, 22∶6n−3) on day 22 reflected that of the prenatal diet, with the proportion of n−3 compounds being higher and that of n−6 floer in the fish oil than safflower oil groups. Prenatal dietary effects were absent by day 32, with the exception of lower 22∶5n−6 in fish oil groups. Dietary supplementation with n−3 fatty acids increased the ratio of 20∶3n−6 to 20∶4n−6, which is consistent with a blockade of the activity of Δ-5 desaturase. On day 22 the incorporation of dietary long chain n−3 fatty acids into the brain phosphatidylcholine fraction was enhanced in the ethanol-treated animals; by day 32 the animals treated prenatally with ethanol also showed increased levels of long chain n−6 compounds. Behavioral development was retarded by ethanol, but there was no effect of the dietary oils. These results support the hypothesis that effects of ethanol on the developing brain may be modified by the availability of an exogenous supply of long chain fatty acids.     

Modulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase by dietary fats in rat heart

Feeding oils of different fatty acid composition modifies the fatty acid composition of cardiac membrane phospholipids, thereby inducing changes in cardiac contractility and altering response of adenylate cyclase to catecholamines. In the present study, the effect of such dietary manipulations on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, which is involved in the control of cyclic nucleotide intracellular levels and in the control of cardiac contractility, was investigated. Rats were fed either a saturated fatty acid-enriched diet (8 weight percent [%] coconut oil +2% sunflower oil), an n−6 fatty acid-enriched diet (10% sunflower oil) or an n−3 fatty acid-enriched diet (8% fish oil +2% sunflower oil). The fatty acid composition of cardiac phospholipids, as well as the nonesterified fatty acid content of heart were markedly altered by the diets. The 18∶2n−6 and 20∶4n−6 content of cardiac phospholipids was markedly (−49%) depressed by fish oil as compared with sunflower oil feeding, but the nonesterified fatty acid level of heart membrane was lowest in coconut oil-fed rats. In addition, fish oil feeding more drastically depressed the n−6/n−3 fatty acid ratio in the nonesterified fatty acid pool than in cardiac phospholipids. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was the lowest in both the particulate and soluble fractions of heart from rats fed sunflower oil, whereas cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was not altered by the diets. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was decreased by 18 and 12% in heart membranes of the sunflower oil group as compared to that of the coconut oil and fish oil groups, respectively. In heart cytosol, the activity decreased by 30% when compared with the activity of the coconut oil group. Additionalin vitro experiments showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids were more potent inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase than saturated fatty acids. These results suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diets might decrease heart cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity by increasing non-esterified polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially those of the n−6 series, but more complex and indirect mechanisms are very likely to be involved.     

Zinc deficiency and activities of lipogenic and glycolytic enzymes in liver of rats fed coconut oil or linseed oil

In previous studies, zinc-deficient rats force-fed a diet with coconut oil as the major dietary fat developed a fatty liver, whereas zinc-deficient rats force-fed a diet with linseed oil did not. The present study was conducted to elucidate the reason for this phenomenon. In a bifactorial experiment, rats were fed zinc-adequate or zinc-deficient diets containing either a mixture of coconut oil (70 g/kg) and safflower oil (10 g/kg) (“coconut oil diet”) or linseed oil (80 g/kg) (“linseed oil diet”) as a source of dietary fat, and activities of lipogenic and glycolytic enzymes in liver were determined. In order to ensure adequate food intake, all the rats were force-fed. Zinc-deficient rats on the coconut oil diet developed a fatty liver, characterized by elevated levels of triglycerides with saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. These rats also had markedly elevated activities of the lipogenic enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase (FAS), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), and citrate cleavage enzyme, whereas activities of malic enzyme and glycolytic enzymes were not different compared with zinc-adequate rats on the coconut oil diet. In contrast, rats receiving the linseed oil diet had similar triglyceride concentrations regardless of zinc status, and activities of lipogenic enzymes and glycolytic enzymes were not different between the two groups. Zinc-deficient rats fed either type of dietary fat exhibited statistically significant correlations between activities of FAS, G6PDH, 6PGDH and concentrations of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in liver. The concentrations of serum lipids were elevated in zinc-deficient rats fed either type of dietary fat. These results demonstrate that fatty liver in zinc-deficient rats on the coconut oil diet is caused by elevated activities of lipogenic enzymes, and not by disturbed lipid secretion from liver. Dietary linseed oil prevents both the elevation of lipogenic enzyme activity and fatty liver in zinc-deficient rats.     

Influence of dietary linoleic acid andtrans fatty acids on the fatty acid profile of cardiolipins in rats

Cardiolipins (CL) have unique fatty acid profiles with generally high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily 18∶2n−6, and low levels of saturated fatty acids. In order to study the effect of dietary fatty acid isomers on the fatty acid composition of cardiolipins, rats were fed partially hydrogenated marine oils (HMO), rich in 16∶1, 18∶1, 20∶1, and 22∶1 isomeric fatty acids, supplemented with linoleic acid at levels ranging from 1.9% to 14.5% of total fat. Although the dietary fats contained 33%trans fatty acids, the levels oftrans fatty acids in CL were below 2.5% in all organs. The fatty acid profiles of cardiolipins of liver, heart, kidney and testes showed different responses to dietary linoleic acid level. In liver, the contents of 18∶2 reflected the dietary levels. In heart and kidney, the levels of 18∶2 also parallelled increasing dietary levels, but in all groups fed HMO, levels of 18∶2 were considerably higher than in the reference group fed palm oil. In testes, the 18∶2 levels were unaffected by the dietary level of 18∶2 and HMO.     

Availability of linoleic acid from cereal-pulse diets

Cereals and pulses alone provide nearly two-thirds of the daily linoleic acid requirement in habitual Indian diets. Two-thirds of the lipids present in cereals is in bound form. To investigate to what extent the essential fatty acids (EFA) present in cereals and pulses are biologically available, weanling rats were fed rice-pulse based diets either without supplementation or supplemented with one of three vegetable oils—coconut, palmolein or groundnut oil. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition was used to assess the EFA status, with ratios of eicosatrienoic/arachidonic acids (20∶3n−9/20∶4n−6) above 0.2, indicating linoleic acid deficiency. In the unsupplemented group, the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids were low as compared to the groundnut oil fed group. However, the ratio of 20∶3n−9/20∶4n−6 was less than 0.2, indicating that there was no linoleic acid deficiency. This shows that the linoleic acid present in rice and pulse may be readily available.     

The effect of dietary fat level and quality on plasma lipoprotein lipids and plasma fatty acids in normocholesterolemic subjects

This study examined the effect on the plasma lipids and plasma phospholipid and cholesteryl ester fatty acids of changing from a typical western diet to a very low fat (VLF) vegetarian diet containing one egg/day. The effect of the addition of saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) to the VLF diet was also examined. Three groups of 10 subjects (6 women, 4 men) were fed the VLF diet (10% energy as fat) for two weeks, and then in the next two weeks the dietary fat in each group was increased by 10% energy/week using butter, olive oil or safflower oil. The fat replaced dietary carbohydrate. The VLF diet reduced both the low density lipoprotein (LDL)-and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels; addition of the monounsaturated fats and PUFA increased the HDL-cholesterol levels, whereas butter increased the cholesterol levels in both the LDL- and HDL-fractions. The VLF diet led to significant reductions in the proportion of linoleic acid (18∶2ω6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20∶5ω3) and to increases in palmitoleic (16∶1), eicosatrienoic (20∶3ω6) and arachidonic acids (20∶4ω6) in both phospholipids and cholesteryl esters. Addition of butter reversed the changes seen on the VLF diet, with the exception of 16∶1, which remained elevated. Addition of olive oil resulted in a significant rise in the proportion of 18∶1 and significant decreases in all ω3 PUFA except 22∶6 compared with the usual diet. The addition of safflower oil resulted in significant increases in 18∶2 and 20∶4ω6 and significant decreases in 18∶1, 20∶5ω3 and 22∶5ω3. These results indicate that the reduction of saturated fat content of the diet (<6% dietary energy), either by reducing the total fat content of the diet or by exchanging saturated fat with unsaturated fat, reduced the total plasma cholesterol levels by approximately 12% in normocholesterolemic subjects. Although the VLF vegetarian diet reduced both LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels, the long-term effects of VLF diets are unlikely to be deteterious since populations which habitually consume these diets have low rates of coronary heart disease. The addition of safflower oil or olive oil to a VLF diet produced favorable changes in the lipoprotein lipid profile compared with the addition of butter. The VLF diets and diets rich in butter, olive oil or safflower oil had different effects on the 20 carbon eicosanoid precursor fatty acids in the plasma. This suggests that advice on plasma lipid lowering should also take into account the effect of the diet on the fatty acid profile of the plasma lipids.     

Specific inhibition of hepatic fatty acid synthesis exerted by dietary linoleate and linolenate in essential fatty acid adequate rats

Dietary linoleate and linolenate were investigated for their ability to specifically inhibit liver and adipose tissue lipogenesis in meal-fed (access to food 900-1,200 hr), essential fatty acid (EFA) adequate rats. Supplementing a high carbohydrate diet containing 2.5% safflower oil with 3% palmitate 16∶0, oleate 18∶1, or linoleate 18∶2 did not affect in vivo liver or adipose tissue fatty acid synthesis. However, 18∶2 addition to the basal diet did result in a significant (P<0.05) decline of liver fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities. When the safflower oil content of the basal diet was reduced to 1%, the addition of 3% 18∶2 or linolenate 18∶3 significantly (P<0.05) depressed hepatic FAS, G6PD, and in vivo fatty acid synthesis by 50%. Addition of 18∶1 caused no depression in hepatic FAS activity but did result in a significant (P<0.05) decline in liver G6PD activity and fatty acid synthesis which was intermediate between basal and basal +18∶2-or+18∶3-fed animals. Adipose tissue rates of lipogenesis were completely unaffected by dietary fatty acid supplementation. Similarly, the addition of 3 or 5% 18∶3 to a basal diet for only one meal resulted in no change in lipogenesis relative to that in animals fed the basal diet. The data indicate that, like rats fed EFA-deficient diets, dietary 18∶2 and 18∶3 exert a specific capacity to depress rat liver FAS and G6PD activities and rate of fatty acid synthesis. Michigan Agricultural Experiment station Journal Article No. 7581. D.R. Romsos is the recipient of Career Development Award K04 AM 00112     

Metabolism of erucic acid in perfused rat liver: Increased chain shortening after feeding partially hydrogenated marine oil and rapeseed oil

The metabolism of [14-¹⁴C] erucic acid was studied in perfused livers from rats fed on diets containing partially hydrogenated marine oil or rapeseed oil for three days or three weeks. Control rats were given groundnut oil. Chain-shortening of erucic acid, mainly to 18∶1, was found in all dietary groups. In the marine oil and rapeseed oil groups, the percentage of chain-shortened fatty acids in very low density lipoproteins-triacylglycerols (VLDL-TG) exported from the liver increased after prolonged feeding. A similar increase was found in liver TG only with partially hydrogenated marine oil. This oil, rich intrans fatty acids, thus seemed to be more effective in promoting chain-shortening. The fatty acid composition of the secreted and stored TG differed both with respect to total fatty acids and radioactively labeled fatty acids, indicating that at least 2 different pools of TG exist in the liver. The lack of lipidosis in livers from rats fed dietary oils rich in 22∶1 fatty acids is discussed in relation to these findings. In conclusion, a discussion is presented expressing the view that the reversal of the acute lipidosis in the hearts of rats fed rapeseed oil or partially hydrogenated marine oils is, to a large extent, derived from the increased chain-shortening capacity of erucic acid in liver.     

Response of rat adrenal cholesteryl esters to cold stress

Male rats were maintained on diets containing corn oil or hydrogenated coconut oil. The compositions of the adrenal cholesteryl esters were determined in control animals and in those subjected to cold stress (4 C for 30 min). Total sterol ester content was lower in the stressed rats. In those receiving corn oil there were selective decreases in 16∶1, 18∶2 and 20∶4(n−6) esters but not in 22∶4(n−6). In the coconut oil fed, essential fatty acid (EFA) deficient animals, the decreases in 20∶4(n−6) and 22∶4(n−6) were quite selective, but the concentrations of the cholesteryl esters of 20∶3(n−9) and 22∶3(n−9) were also selectively reduced in the stressed animals. Olive oil and corn oilethyl erucate were employed as dietary fats in a second experiment. Plasma corticosterone was lower in animal fed ethyl erucate and subjected to cold stress. Cholesteryl erucate was the major adrenal ester in animals receiving dietary erucate but it was not well utilized in animals subjected to stress. The cholesteryl esters of linoleate and arachidonate were preferentially utilized in both of these dietary groups. Cholesteryl arachidonate was selectively utilized in all four dietary groups studied and may constitute the preferred substrate for rat adrenal cholesteryl ester hydrolase. One of three papers being published from the Symposium, “Cholesteryl Esters,” AOCS Meeting, Houston, May 1971.     

Interrelationship between dietarytrans fatty acids and the 6- and 9-desaturases in the rat

Studies are reported on the effects of dietarytrans fatty acids on the 6- and 9-acyl desaturase activities in the liver microsomes of rats fed essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient and non-FFA-deficient diets. In experiment I, weanling male rats were fed a semisynthetic diet with either 10% safflower oil (SAF) or 10% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO). At the age of one year, half of the dietary fat was replaced by a supplement containing elaidate, linolelaidate andcis,trans-trans,cis-18∶2 (TRANS) for 12 weeks. In experiment II, male rats which were kept from weaning on a 10% SAF diet for one year received one of the following fat supplements for a 12-week period: 10% HCO, 9% HCO+1% TRANS, or 5% HCO+5% TRANS. Feeding TRANS depressed the 6-desaturase activity in the liver microsomes, especially in the EFA-deficient rats (HCO+TRANS group of experiment I). Unlike the 6-deaturase activity, the 9-desaturase activity was not inhibited by the dietarytrans fatty acids and was significantly stimulated in the non-EFA-deficient rats (SAF+TRANS group of experiment I and HCO+TRANS groups of experiment II). This was evidenced by incubation reactions and by comparisons of fatty acid consumptions and microsomal fatty acid levels, showing extra biosynthesis of 16∶1 and 18∶1 when TRANS was fed. The biosynthesis of essential (n−6) fatty acids was depressed by the TRANS supplement in EFA-deficient as well as in non-EFA-deficient animals.     

The effects of a dietary oxidized oil on lipid metabolism in rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of a dietary oxidized oil on lipid metabolism in rats, particularly the desaturation of fatty acids. Two groups of rats were fed initially for a period of 35 d diets containing 10% of either fresh oil or thermally treated oil (150°C, 6d). The dietary fats used were markedly different for lipid peroxidation products (peroxide value: 94.5 vs. 3.1 meq O₂/kg; thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances: 230 vs. 7 μmol/kg) but were equalized for their fatty acid composition by using different mixtures of lard and safflower oil and for tocopherol concentrations by individual supplementation with dl-α-tocopherol acetate. In the second period which lasted 16 d, the same diets were supplemented with 10% linseed oil to study the effect of the oxidized oil on the desaturation of α-linolenic acid. During the whole period, all the rats were fed identical quantities of diet by a restrictive feeding system in order to avoid a reduced food intake in the rats fed the oxidized oil. Body weight gains and food conversion rates were only slightly lower in the rats fed the oxidized oil compared to the rats fed the fresh oil. Hence, the effects of lipid peroxidation products could be studied without a distortion by a marked reduced food intake and growth. To assess the rate of fatty acid desaturation, the fatty acid composition of liver and heart total lipids and phospholipids was determined and ratios between product and precursor of individual desaturation reactions were calculated. Rats fed the oxidized oil had reduced ratios of 20∶4n−6/18∶2n−6, 20∶5n−3/18∶3n−3, 20∶4n−6/20∶3n−6, and 22∶6n−3/22∶5n−3 in liver phospholipids and reduced ratios of 20∶4n−6/18∶2n−6, 22∶5n−3/18∶3n−3, and 22∶6n−3/18∶3n−3 in heart phospholipids. Those results suggest a reduced rate of desaturation of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid by microsomal Δ4-, Δ5-, and Δ6-desaturases. Furthermore, liver total lipids of rats fed the oxidized oil exhibited a reduced ratio between total monounsaturated fatty acids and total saturated fatty acids, suggesting a reduced Δ9-desaturation. Besides those effects, the study observed a slightly increased liver weight, markedly reduced tocopherol concentrations in liver and plasma, reduced lipid concentrations in plasma, and an increased ratio between phospholipids and cholesterol in the liver. Thus, the study demonstrates that feeding an oxidized oil causes several alterations of lipid and fatty acid metabolism which might be of great physiologic relevance.     

Dietary very long chain fatty acids directly influence the ratio of tetracosenoic (24∶1) to tetracosanoic (24∶0) acids of sphingomyelin in rat liver

Twenty-one groups of weanling male Wistar rats were fed semipurified diets containing 5% (w/w) of different dietary fats. After 2 wk, liver sphingomyelin (SM) fatty acid composition was determined. The ratio of 24∶1 to 24∶0 in liver SM varied over a tenfold range in response to dietary fat type. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that dietary 24∶1, 24∶0, and 22∶1 were the most significant factors in predicting the 24∶1/24∶0 ratio of liver SM. The mathematical relation between the dietary fatty acid composition and liver SM 24∶1/24∶0 was y=1.88 (24∶1)−1.49 (24∶0)+0.21 (22∶1)+0.01 (18∶1)+0.26, r ²=0.95, P<0.0001. These results were confirmed by a second experiment in which the rats were fed olive oil-based diets supplemented with various fatty acid ethyl esters.     

Effects of coconut oil on heart lipids and on fatty acid utilization in rapeseed oil

Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 15% by weight of sunflower oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil or combinations of these oils for 5 or 60 days. The digestibility of erucic acid (22∶1), lauric acid (12∶0) and linoleic acid (18∶2) was measured and found to be decreased for erucic acid at both time intervals, and for lauric acid after 60 days when coconut oil and rapeseed oil were blended. The cardiac lipodosis was proportional to the content of erucic acid in the diet. At 60 days, the high level of 22∶6 in the cardiac phospholipids of rats fed rapeseed oil was reduced by the addition of sunflower oil but not by coconut oil. Thus, the blending of rapeseed oil with coconut oil apparently is less desirable than that of rapeseed oil and sunflower oil.