A 1,3-diacylglycerol-rich oil induces less atherosclerosis and lowers plasma cholesterol in diabetic apoE-deficient mice.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies have demonstrated that 1,3-diacylglycerol (1,3-DAG) has several metabolic advantages over triacylglycerol (TAG) in humans and in animal models despite both oils having a similar fatty acid composition. In our current study, we have examined the effects of long-term feeding of a 1,3-DAG-rich oil on the dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in the experimental model of the diabetic apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mouse that develops accelerated atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
Diets containing 1,3-DAG-rich oil or TAG oil were administered to control non-diabetic apoE-dificient and diabetic apoE-deficient mice for 20 weeks. In diabetic apoE-deficient mice, 1,3-DAG reduced the extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch and thoracic aorta by 37 and 44%, respectively, compared to TAG. Further, in diabetic apoE-deficient mice, plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the 1,3-DAG-fed group than in the TAG-fed group. This occurred partially through an apparent reduction in the size of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins but not apparently by reducing the number of lipoprotein particles. By contrast the control non-diabetic apoE-deficient mice showed no differential responses to the type of oil at least over 20 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
We have demonstrated that dietary 1,3-DAG-rich oil reduced atherosclerosis in diabetic apoE-deficient mice, and was associated with reduction in plasma cholesterol especially within larger triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
Fujii
Akihiko
A
Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 312-3497, Japan. fujii.akihiko@kao.co.jp
Allen
Terri J
TJ
Nestel
Paul J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004075:Diglycerides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D004075:Diglycerides; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol