title: Effect of short-term low- and high-fat diets on low-density lipoprotein particle size in normolipidemic subjects.
abstract: High-fat, low-carbohydrate diets have been shown to raise plasma cholesterol levels, an effect associated with the formation of large low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. However, the impact of dietary intervention on time-course changes in LDL particle size has not been investigated. To test whether a short-term dietary intervention affects LDL particle size, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, crossover study using an intensive dietary modification in 12 nonobese healthy men with normal plasma lipid profile. Participants were subjected to 2 isocaloric 3-day diets: high-fat diet (37% energy from fat and 50% from carbohydrates) and low-fat diet (25% energy from fat and 62% from carbohydrates). Plasma lipid levels and LDL particle size were assessed on fasting blood samples after 3 days of feeding on each diet. The LDL particles were characterized by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. Compared with the low-fat diet, plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly increased (4.45 vs 4.78 mmol/L, P = .04; 2.48 vs 2.90 mmol/L, P = .005; and 1.29 vs 1.41 mmol/L, P = .005, respectively) following the 3-day high-fat diet. Plasma triglycerides and fasting apolipoprotein B-48 levels were significantly decreased after the high-fat diet compared with the low-fat diet (1.48 vs 1.01 mmol/L, P = .0003 and 9.6 vs 5.5 mg/L, P = .008, respectively). The high-fat diet was also associated with a significant increase in LDL particle size (255.0 vs 255.9 Å;P = .01) and a significant decrease in the proportion of small LDL particle (<255.0 Å) (50.7% vs 44.6%, P = .01). As compared with a low-fat diet, the cholesterol-raising effect of a high-fat diet is associated with the formation of large LDL particles after only 3 days of feeding.
authors.affiliation: Institute on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guay
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lamarche
authors.forename: Amélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charest
authors.forename: André J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Couture
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053283:Apolipoprotein B-48 / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D053283:Apolipoprotein B-48; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides