Serum and liver lipids of rats fed rubber seed oil.
Crude rubber seed oil (RSO) was incorporated at the 5% level in diets free of cholesterol or containing 1% cholesterol, respectively. These studies were initiated for the purpose of evaluating the palatability and potential toxicity of RSO. Corn oil was used as a control. A considerable amount of unsaponifiable matter was detected in RSO. In addition, RSO was found to possess a fatty acid profile which was fairly different from that of corn oil, primarily due to a much higher content of linolenic acid and a lower content of linoleic acid in RSO. No adverse effects on food intake and average daily gain were observed in rats fed RSO in both cholesterol-free and cholesterol diets. The presence of RSO in cholesterol-free diets results in lower (p less than 0.05) serum and liver total cholesterol levels than in control animals. A relative hypercholesterolemic effect compared to corn oil was observed however, when RSO was added to diets containing 1% cholesterol. In summary, the physicochemical properties of RSO as well as the presence of cholesterol in the diet are important factors in evaluating the cholesterolemic effect of RSO.
Nwokolo
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E
Department of Animal Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Kitts
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DD
Kanhai
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012408:Rubber; D012639:Seeds; D014197:Trees
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D010938:Plant Oils; D012408:Rubber; D002784:Cholesterol