A high-saturated fat diet enriched with phytosterol and pectin affects the fatty acid profile in guinea pigs

This paper presents the results of a study whose aim was to test the effects of several doses of pectin and phytosterols on the body weight gain and the FA content in emale guinea pigs. The treatments resulted from supplementing with pectin and plant sterol a guinea pig diet (rich in saturated FA), following a 3×3 factorial design, with three levels of pectin (0,3.67 and 6.93%) and three levels of phytosterols (0, 1.37, and 2.45%). Seventy-two female Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were randomly assigned to the treatment groups (8 animals/group), the duration of the treatment being 4 wk. Pectin dietary intake led to a significant increase in body weight (P<0.001), food consumption (P=0.025), and feed efficiency (P<0.001), but no influence of phytosterols on weight gain or food consumption was detected. We found a significant negative effect of the addition of phytosterols on lauric, myristic, and palmitic acid concents in feces, and a positive effect on their concentration in plasma and liver, but no significant effect on stearic acid content. Apparent FA absorption was assessed by calculating the ratio of FA in feces and diets that the absorption of the different FA could be compared, and the negative effect of phytosterol supplementation on these ratios, especially for lauric and myristic acids, was established.     

Phytosterols in human nutrition: Type,formulation, delivery,and physiological function

Phytosterols are a family of compounds similar to cholesterol which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels when supplemented in the diet. A daily dose of 2–3 g of phytosterols has been shown to reduce LDL‐cholesterol levels by 5–15%. Phytosterol supplementation can be undertaken using phytosterol enriched functional foods or nutraceutical preparations. The type of phytosterol supplemented, such as plant sterol or saturated plant stanol appear to be equally effective in lowering cholesterol levels. Phytosterols, whether in esterified or free form have both been shown to lower cholesterol levels, with esterified phytosterol formulations having a greater number of clinical trials demonstrating efficacy. The functional food or nutraceutical matrix which is used to deliver supplemental phytosterols can significantly affect cholesterol lowering efficacy. Effective cholesterol lowering by phytosterols depends on delivery of phytosterols to the intestine in a form which can compete with cholesterol for absorption. New phytosterol functional food and nutraceuticals products should always be tested to demonstrate adequate delivery of phytosterol dose and effective total and LDL‐cholesterol lowering. Phytosterol products which do not effectively lower cholesterol will negatively impact the perception and use of phytosterols, and must not be allowed on the marketplace.     

Effect of cholesterol and cholestyramine feeding and of fasting on sterol synthesis in the liver,ileum, and lung of the guinea pig

The effects of feeding diets containing either cholesterol (0.24% w/w) or cholestyramine (2.5% w/w) and of fasting on sterol synthesis in the liver, ileum, and lung of both male and female guinea pigs have been studied by measuring the incorporation by tissue slices of¹⁴C-labeled acetate into total digitonin-precipitable sterols. Cholesterol feeding significantly decreased (P<0.05) sterol synthesis in the liver, ileum, and lung of the males and in the ileum of females. Cholestyramine feeding stimulated the rate of hepatic sterol synthesis 13-fold but did not significantly affect sterologenesis in the ileum. Sterol synthesis in the lung was significantly increased (P<0.05) but to a much lesser extent than in the liver. Fatty acid synthesis in the liver, ileum, and lung was not significantly affected by either cholesterol or cholestyramine feeding. In guinea pigs fasted for 24 hr, sterol synthesis was inhibited in all three tissues, the most pronounced effect occurring in the liver. Only in the lung was fatty acid synthesis significantly decreased (P<0.001) by fasting. Cholesterol feeding resulted in increased concentrations of cholesterol in the plasma and liver. Cholestyramine feeding reduced plasma cholesterol concentration by 81% in females and by 64% in males. However, it did not significantly change the tissue cholesterol concentrations. Fasting resulted in a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma cholesterol concentration but did not affect the concentration of cholesterol in the tissues. It was concluded that in the normal guinea pig, the feedback inhibition produced by both cholesterol and also possibly by bile acids suppresses sterol synthesis in the liver to very low rates compared to those in the small intestine, where sterologenesis is not only less sensitive to the cholesterol negative feedback system than that in the liver, but also is not subject to regulation by the bile acid negative feedback system.     

Effects of cholestyramine and squalene feeding on hepatic and serum plant sterols in the rat

Hepatic and serum phytosterol concentrations were compared in the rat under basal conditions and during activated cholesterol and bile acid production due to squalene and cholestyramine feeding. Both treatments consistently decreased hepatic and serum levels of sitosterol and campesterol and, unlike esterified cholesterol, esterified plant sterols were not increased in liver during squalene feeding. Serum levels of phytosterols were decreased quite proportionately to those in the liver. The hepatic levels of sitosterol and campesterol closely correlated with each other, but not with cholesterol levels. The percentage esterification of both phytosterols was lower than that of cholesterol. The results indicate that activation of hepatic sterol production leads to depletion of hepatic plant sterols. It is suggested that poor esterification of plant sterols may contribute to this decrease.     

Parenteral Lipid Emulsions in Guinea Pigs Differentially Influence Plasma and Tissue Levels of Fatty Acids,Squalene, Cholesterol,and Phytosterols

Lipid emulsions are made by mixing vegetable and/or fish oils with egg yolk and contain different types and amounts of fatty acids and sterols. This study assessed the effects of oral diet, soybean oil (SO)-, fish oil (FO)-, a mixture of olive and soybean oil (OOSO)-, and a mixture of fish, olive, coconut, and soybean oil (FOCS)-based emulsions on plasma triacylglycerols and plasma and tissue fatty acid and sterol content following acute and chronic intravenous administration in the guinea pig. Upon acute administration, peak triacylglycerols were highest with SO and lowest with OOSO. Upon chronic administration, the plasma triglyceride levels did not increase in any group over that of the controls. Fatty acid levels varied greatly between organs of animals on the control diets and organs of animals following acute or chronic lipid administration. Squalene levels increased in plasma following acute administration of OOSO, but plasma squalene levels were similar to control in all emulsion groups following chronic administration. Total plasma phytosterol levels were increased in the SO, OOSO, and FOCS groups following both acute and chronic infusions, whereas phytosterols were not increased following FO infusion. Total phytosterol levels were higher in liver, lung, kidney and adipose tissue following SO and OOSO. Levels were not increased in tissues after FO and FOCS infusion. These results indicate that fatty acid and sterol contents vary greatly among organs and that no one tissue reflects the fatty acid or sterol composition of other tissues, suggesting that different organs regulate these compounds differently.     

Oxidation of phytosterols in a test food system

The oxidative stability of phytosterols in canola, coconut, peanut, and soybean oils was examined under simulated frying conditions of 100, 150, and 180°C for 20 h. The degree of oxidative decomposition was assessed by the loss of phytosterols, accumulation of phytosterol oxides, and the change in fatty acid profiles. The phytosterol oxides produced in the oils were identified using mass spectroscopy. Oils with higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids showed greater amounts of sterol loss; however, the sterol loss was less complete than in the more saturated oils. A greater variety of sterol oxides was observed at the lower temperatures of 100 and 150°C compared to 180°C. This study demonstrates that under conditions similar to frying, there is a loss of phytosterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The accumulation of phytosterol oxides may be temperature-limited because of further break-down into products not measurable by typical gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques.     

Soluble fiber and soybean protein reduce atherosclerotic lesions in guinea pigs. Sex and hormonal status determine lesion extension

These studies were undertaken to assess guinea pigs as potential models for early atherosclerosis development. For that purpose, male, female, and ovariectomized (to mimic menopause) guinea pigs were fed a control or a TEST diet for 12 wk. Differences between diets were the type of protein (60% casein/40% soybean vs. 100% soybean) and the type of fiber (12.5% cellulose vs. 2.5% cellulose/5% pectin/5% psyllium) for control and TEST diets, respectively. Diet had no effect on plasma cholesterol or triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations; however, there were significant effects related to sex/hormonal status. Ovariectomized guinea pigs had higher plasma cholesterol and TAG concentrations than males or females (P<0.01). In contrast to effects on plasma lipids, hepatic cholesterol and TAG were 50% lower in the TEST groups (P<0.01) compared to controls. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) from guinea pigs fed the TEST diet had a lower number of cholesteryl ester (CE) molecules and a smaller diameter than LDL from controls. Atherosclerotic lesions were modulated by both diet (P<0.0001) and sex (P<0.0001). Guinea pigs fed the TEST diet had 25% less lesion extension whereas males had 20% larger occlusion of the arteries compared to both female and ovariectomized guinea pigs. Significant positive correlations were found between LDL CE and atherosclerotic lesions (r=0.495, P<0.05) and LDL size and fatty streak area (r=0.56, P<0.01). In addition, females fed the TEST diet had the lowest plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations, the smallest LDL particles, and the least atherosclerosis involvement compared to the other groups. These data indicate that dietary factors and sex/hormonal status play a role in determining plasma lipids and atherosclerosis in guinea pigs.     

Phytosterol Ester Constituents Affect Micellar Cholesterol Solubility in Model Bile

Plant sterols and stanols (phytosterols) and their esters are nutraceuticals that lower LDL cholesterol, but the mechanisms of action are not fully understood. We hypothesized that intact esters and simulated hydrolysis products of esters (phytosterols and fatty acids in equal ratios) would differentially affect the solubility of cholesterol in model bile mixed micelles in vitro. Sodium salts of glycine- and taurine-conjugated bile acids were sonicated with phosphatidylcholine and either sterol esters or combinations of sterols and fatty acids to determine the amount of cholesterol solubilized into micelles. Intact sterol esters did not solubilize into micelles, nor did they alter cholesterol solubility. However, free sterols and fatty acids altered cholesterol solubility independently (no interaction effect). Equal contents of cholesterol and either campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, or stigmastanol (sitostanol) decreased cholesterol solubility in micelles by approximately 50% compared to no phytosterol present, with stigmasterol performing slightly better than sitosterol. Phytosterols competed with cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating a 1:1 M substitution of phytosterol for cholesterol in micelle preparations. Unsaturated fatty acids increased the micelle solubility of sterols as compared with saturated or no fatty acids. No differences were detected in the size of the model micelles. Together, these data indicate that stigmasterol combined with saturated fatty acids may be more effective at lowering cholesterol micelle solubility in vivo.     

The Digestibility and Accumulation of Dietary Phytosterols in Atlantic Salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.) Smolt Fed Diets with Replacement Plant Oils

Phytosterols occur in high concentration in canola (Brassica napus L.) and other vegetable oils such as from the borage plant Echium (Echium plantagineum L.). We investigated if Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) digest and accumulate dietary phytosterols in significant amounts in muscle and liver. Phytosterols are lipid soluble, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in humans. We aimed to determine if fatty fish, such as salmon, can be used as a delivery source of this functional food component. Three diets containing canola oil (CO), Echium oil (EO) and fish oil (FO) were fed to Atlantic salmon smolt over 9 weeks. The digestibility of natural abundances of phytosterols by Atlantic salmon was poor compared to cholesterol. However, phytosterols accumulated in liver and muscle of fish. Significantly increased concentrations of 24-methylenecholesterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol and total phytosterol occurred in livers of EO fed fish compared to FO fed fish. Campesterol concentrations increased in CO fed fish compared to the FO fed fish. We demonstrated that natural abundances of dietary phytosterols are digested by and accumulated in liver and white muscle of Atlantic salmon smolt. However, phytosterol levels in salmon muscle will not be a major source of phytosterols in human diets and would not be expected to significantly effect human cardiovascular health.     

A comparison of the effect of medium- vs. long-chain triglycerides on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> solubilization of cholesterol and/or phytosterol into mixed micelles

Despite clinical evidence of the cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols, the exact mechanisms involved are still unclear. Displacement of cholesterol by phytosterols from mixed micelles, which is due to their greater hydrophobicity, is one of the hypotheses for the lumenal effects contributing to the reduction of intestinal cholesterol absorption. In this study a dynamic in vitro lipolysis method was used to examine the solubilization behavior of cholesterol and/or phytosterols during lipolysis to probe the efficacy of cholesterol displacement from mixed micelles by phytosterols. The effects of lipid chain length on sterol solubilization were studied by using microcrystalline suspensions containing 17% phytosterol or cholesterol, formulated in long-chain TG (LCT) and medium-chain TG (MCT). When digesting cholesterol suspended in LCT, the entire cholesterol dose was incorporated into the micellar phase. For the cholesterol formulation suspended in MCT, 50.3% of the initial dose was recovered in the micelles. Under the respective conditions, we observed lower solubilization of phytosterols than of cholesterol (roughly fourfold). Only 25% of the initial phytosterol dose was solubilized from suspensions formulated with LCT, and 13% was solubilized from MCT formulations. Co-administration of phytosterol and cholesterol suspensions showed a significant reduction of cholesterol solubilization, particularly when dosed in MCT, with ≈25% of the cholesterol dose solubilized. Insignificant amounts of cholesterol were displaced by phytosterols when cholesterol was presolubilized in the mixed micelles. The results show that, compared with LCT, mixed micelles containing MCT lipolysis products have a reduced solubilizing capacity for cholesterol, which adds to the effectiveness of the phytosterols in displacing cholesterol. This suggests potential benefits of using medium chain length lipids in cholesterol-lowering phytosterol products.     

Influence of dietary soybean and egg lecithins on lipid responses in cholesterol-fed guinea pigs

The comparative influence on plasma and tissue lipids of dietary soybean and egg lecithins, which have contrasting fatty acid compositions, was studied in the hypercholesterolemic guine apig. The polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid (P/S) ratios of the soybean and egg lecithins were 3.4 and 0.38, respectively. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding guinea pigs a purified diet that contained 15% lard enriched with 0.5% cholesterol. Subsequently, guinea pigs were fed for six wk the same diet supplemented with either soybean or egg lecithin as 7.5% of the diet. A control group continued to be fed the lecithin-free diet. Parameters measured included body weight and relative liver weight; in plasma, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), phospholipid, and nonesterified cholesterol; in liver, total fat, cholesterol, and the specific activity of the catabolic enzyme cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase; (EC 1.14.13.17); and in the aorta, cholesterol. Among the most noteworthy observations were the 49% decrease in total plasma cholesterol of the soybean lecithin group without decreasing HDLC and the 177% increase in HDLC of the egg lecithin group without a significant increase in total cholesterol compared with those values in the control group. These data suggest that dietary lecithin is particularly effective in increasing the HDLC/total cholesterol ratio in plasma. However, the absolute concentrations of those plasma lipids seem to depend upon the fatty acid composition of the lecithin. Presented in part at the annual meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, New Orleans LA, May 1987.     

Effects of dietary cholesterol upon bile acid metabolism in guinea pig

Cholesterol fed guinea pigs develop a hemolytic anemia accompanied by high cholesterol concentrations in the liver, plasma, and red cells. We have studied the bile acid metabolism of guinea pigs fed a diet with or without cholesterol in a search for the factor(s) which prevent adequate control of their body cholesterol pool and, therefore, its pathological consequences. The results show that in the cholesterol fed guinea pig the synthesis (and excretion) of bile acids was at least three times greater than in controls. This is the result of a doubling of the fractional turnover rate and a smaller increase in the pool size. The major increase of the bile acid pool was in the liver. The main bile acid in gall bladder bile and small intestines was chenodeoxycholic acid, with smaller amounts of 7-ketolithocholic and ursodeoxycholic acids. In the caecum, large intestines, and feces, the major bile acid was lithocholic acid.     

Betaine supplementation affects the cholesterol but not the lipid profile of pigs

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of long term betaine intake on the cholesterol and lipid profile of Alentejano (AL) pigs. At ?36 kg body weight (BW), castrated male and female pigs fed a commercial (C) diet, were divided into two groups: i) Group C, consuming the C diet; and ii) Group CB, consuming the C diet supplemented with 1 g/kg betaine. Pigs were slaughtered at ?100 kg BW. Fasting plasma concentrations of protein, urea, glucose, TAG, phospholipids, homocysteine, total and LDL‐ and HDL‐cholesterol were determined. Liver TAG, phospholipids, and total and free cholesterol were analyzed, as well as total lipids, cholesterol contents, and fatty acid (FA) composition of M. semimembranosus and dorsal subcutaneous fat. Betaine supplemented pigs presented significantly higher plasma concentrations of TAG, phospholipids, cholesterol, and lipoprotein cholesterol. Dorsal subcutaneous fat cholesterol concentration was also significantly higher in CB than in C pigs. No differences were detected in the most abundant FA profile (including the unsaturated to saturated FA ratio) of muscle and subcutaneous fat tissues among treatments. These data suggest that betaine induces dyslipidemia, and increases cholesterol concentration in dorsal subcutaneous fat, without affecting the FA profile of M. semimembranosus and dorsal subcutaneous fat.     

Phytosterols,Cholesterol Absorption and Healthy Diets

The purpose of this review is to outline the emerging role of dietary phytosterols in human health. Dietary saturated fat, cholesterol and fiber are currently emphasized in the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, other dietary components such as phytosterols may have equivalent or even larger effects on circulating cholesterol and need further study with respect to the potential for coronary heart disease risk reduction. Phytosterol effects were not considered in classic fat-exchange clinical trials and may account for some of the differences attributed to the food fats studied. Phytosterols reduce cholesterol absorption while being poorly absorbed themselves and the effects can be studied in human subjects in single-meal tests using stable isotopic tracers. Because phytosterols are insoluble and biologically inactive when purified, careful attention needs to be given to ensuring that commercial supplement products are rendered bioavailable by dissolution in fat or by emulsification. Recent work shows that phytosterols in natural food matrices are also bioactive. The retention of phytosterols during food manufacturing and the use of foods with high phytosterol content may constitute an alternative to the use of supplements.     

Thresholds for Sterol-Limited Growth of Daphnia magna: A Comparative Approach Using 10 Different Sterols

Arthropods are incapable of synthesizing sterols de novo and thus require a dietary source to cover their physiological demands. The most prominent sterol in animal tissues is cholesterol, which is an indispensable structural component of cell membranes and serves as precursor for steroid hormones. Instead of cholesterol, plants and algae contain a variety of different phytosterols. Consequently, herbivorous arthropods have to metabolize dietary phytosterols to cholesterol to meet their requirements for growth and reproduction. Here, we investigated sterol-limited growth responses of the freshwater herbivore Daphnia magna by supplementing a sterol-free diet with increasing amounts of 10 different phytosterols and comparing thresholds for sterol-limited growth. In addition, we analyzed the sterol composition of D. magna to explore sterol metabolic constraints and bioconversion capacities. We show that dietary phytosterols strongly differ in their potential to support somatic growth of D. magna. The dietary threshold concentrations obtained by supplementing the different sterols cover a wide range (3.5–34.4 μg mg C^?1) and encompass the one for cholesterol (8.9 μg mg C^?1), indicating that certain phytosterols are more efficient in supporting somatic growth than cholesterol (e.g., fucosterol, brassicasterol) while others are less efficient (e.g., dihydrocholesterol, lathosterol). The dietary sterol concentration gradients revealed that the poor quality of particular sterols can be alleviated partially by increasing dietary concentrations, and that qualitative differences among sterols are most pronounced at low to moderate dietary concentrations. We infer that the dietary sterol composition has to be considered in zooplankton nutritional ecology to accurately assess potential sterol limitations under field conditions.     

An Egg-Enriched Diet Attenuates Plasma Lipids and Mediates Cholesterol Metabolism of High-Cholesterol Fed Rats

We investigated the influence of an egg-enriched diet on plasma, hepatic and fecal lipid levels and on gene expression levels of transporters, receptors and enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Sprague–Dawley rats fed an egg-enriched diet had lower plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, hepatic triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations, and greater plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, fecal neutral sterol and bile acid concentrations than those fed a plain cholesterol diet. Chicken egg yolk had no effect on sterol 12α-hydroxylase and sterol 27α-hydroxylase; but upregulated mRNA levels of hepatic LDL-receptor, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase, and downregulated hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl-(HMG)-CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) after 90 days. Modification of the lipoprotein profile by an egg-enriched diet was mediated by reducing de novo cholesterol synthesis and enhancing the excretion of fecal cholesterol, via upregulation of CYP7A1 and the LDL receptor, and downregulation of HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT.     

Phytosterol Esterification is Markedly Decreased in Preterm Infants Receiving Routine Parenteral Nutrition

Several studies reported the association between total plasma phytosterol concentrations and the parenteral nutrition‐associated cholestasis (PNAC). To date, no data are available on phytosterol esterification in animals and in humans during parenteral nutrition (PN). We measured free and esterified sterols (cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol) plasma concentrations during PN in 16 preterm infants (500–1249 g of birth weight; Preterm‐PN), in 11 term infants (Term‐PN) and in 12 adults (Adult‐PN). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for measurements. Plasma concentrations of free cholesterol (Free‐CHO), free phytosterols (Free‐PHY) and esterified phytosterols (Ester‐PHY) were not different among the three PN groups. Esterified cholesterol (Ester‐CHO) was statistically lower in Preterm‐PN than Adult‐PN. Preterm‐PN had significantly higher Free‐CHO/Ester‐CHO and Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY ratios than Adult‐PN (Free‐CHO/Ester‐CHO: 1.1 ± 0.7 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2; Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY: 4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 1.3 ± 0.8; *P < 0.05). Free‐CHO/Ester‐CHO and Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY ratios of Term‐PN (Free‐CHO/Ester‐CHO: 1.1 ± 0.4; Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY: 2.9 ± 1.7) were not different from either Preterm‐PN or from Adult‐PN. Plasma Free‐CHO/Ester‐CHO and Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY were unchanged after 24 h on fat‐free PN both in Preterm‐PN and in Adult‐PN. Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY did not correlate with phytosterol intake in Preterm‐PN. Free‐PHY/Ester‐PHY of Preterm‐PN was positively correlated with the Free‐CHO/Ester‐CHO and negatively correlated with gestational age and birth weight. In conclusion, PHY were esterified to a lesser extent than CHO in all study groups; the esterification was markedly decreased in Preterm‐PN compared to Adult‐PN. The clinical consequences of these findings warrant further investigations.     

Fatty Acids of Microbial Origin in the Perirenal Fat of Rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) and Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus) Fed Various Diets

Guinea pigs are assumed to practice caecotrophy to a higher degree than rats. Studies from leporids suggest that through the practice of caecotrophy, hindgut fermenting species could build up microbial fatty acids (FA) in body tissues. We hypothesized that microbial FA would be detectable in the body tissue of guinea pigs and rats, and this to a higher degree in guinea pigs. Twenty-four rats and guinea pigs were fed with four different pelleted diets (lucerne-, meat-, meat-bone-, insect-based) in groups of six animals for 8 weeks. Perirenal adipose tissue differed in FA composition between the species in spite of the common diets. FA typically associated with microbial activity (saturated FA (SFA; typically 18:0), monounsaturated FA (MUFA; typically trans-fatty acids TFA), and odd- and branched-chain FA (Iso-FA)), were all detected. Guinea pigs had higher SFA levels than rats except on the lucerne diet. Concentrations of 18:0 were higher for guinea pigs on the meat and bone diet. Iso-FA concentrations in guinea pigs exceeded those of rats on all diets. FA profiles with a microbial fingerprint appear—although in low proportions—in the body tissue of both species, and this seemingly to a higher extent in guinea pigs. With respect to whether consumption of rodent meat rich in microbial FA has particular effects on human health as shown for ruminant products, microbial FA concentrations are probably too low to cause any distinct effects.     

Effects of dietary oil related to the toxic oil syndrome on the lipids of guinea pig liver microsomes

The potential effects of oil specimens related to cases of toxic oil syndrome (TOS) on the liver microsomal lipid composition from guinea pigs were investigated. For four weeks, animals were fed diets supplemented with either “case oil” (oil related to cases of TOS) or “control oil” (oil unrelated to cases of TOS), either previously heated or not. Results were compared with those from guinea pigs fed the same diet with no oil. The administration of case oil produced changes in liver microsomal lipid composition. Statistically significant differences were also found between heated case and heated control oils. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratios and the major phospholipid class distribution were unaffected under these diet conditions. However, increases in the relative contents of linoleic and arachidonic acids and, simultaneously, a reduction in palmitic and palmitoleic acid levels were observed by diet effects. Heated oil administration decreased the saturated/unsaturated ratios in all cases. Our data suggest that changes observed in the fatty acid composition are attributable to the free fatty acid contents of administered oils. The toxic constituents of case oil seem to be able to alter the liver microsomal lipid composition.     

Cholesterol‐lowering effect of plant sterols

Intake of plant sterols (4‐desmethyl sterols, phytosterols) reduces cholesterol absorption and lowers serum total and LDL cholesterol levels in humans. The use of dietary plant sterol regimens for lowering elevated serum cholesterol values has recently gained much interest, especially after the commercial introduction of margarines containing plant stanols esterified with fatty acids. The solubility of free, crystalline plant sterols and stanols in edible oils and fats is low, limiting their use especially in fat‐containing food. By esterifying of, e.g., plant stanols with fatty acids derived from a vegetable oil fatty acid ester of plant stanols with fat‐like properties are obtained. These fat‐soluble forms of plant stanols provide a technically feasible way of introducing the adequate daily amount of plant sterol into foods for optimal reduction of the cholesterol absorption, without changing the taste of the finished product. The cholesterol‐lowering effect of plant stanol esters has been extensively studied. Plant stanol esters effectively restrict the absorption of both dietary and biliary cholesterol causing plant stanol specific reductions in serum total and LDL cholesterol levels of up to 10% and 14%, respectively. Serum HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels are not affected. The cholesterol‐lowering effect of plant stanol esters complements the beneficial effects of a healthy diet and cholesterol medication.