A high cholesterol, (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid diet induces hypercholesterolemia more than a high cholesterol (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid diet in hamsters.
This study was designed to study the effects of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on plasma and liver lipids, particularly lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, in hamsters. Diets rich in (n-3) PUFA (21 g/100 g fatty acid) or (n-6) PUFA (37.4 g/ 100 g fatty acid) with or without 5 g/kg cholesterol (C) supplements were given for 4 wk to male hamsters weighing 70-90 g. The VLDL- and (IDL + LDL)-cholesterol concentrations were 114 and 128% higher in hamsters fed the (n-3) PUFA + C diet than in those fed the (n-6) PUFA + C diet. However, these differences were not observed when cholesterol was not supplemented. Hamsters fed the (n-3) PUFA diet had significantly lower plasma and hepatic triglyceride concentrations than those fed the (n-6) PUFA diet. Concentrations were comparable in hamsters fed (n-6) PUFA + C and (n-3) PUFA + C. Hepatic cholesteryl esters were significantly lower, while hepatic microsomal acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity and VLDL cholesteryl esters were significantly higher in hamsters fed the (n-3) PUFA + C diet than in those fed the (n-6) PUFA + C diet. Our results demonstrate that elevation of VLDL- and (IDL + LDL)-cholesterol in hamsters by (n-3) PUFA, compared with (n-6) PUFA, is dependent on dietary cholesterol supplementation and may be due to decreased catabolism of these lipoproteins.
Lu
S C
SC
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Lin
M H
MH
Huang
P C
PC
D000102:Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000102:Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase