title: Echium oil reduces atherosclerosis in apoB100-only LDLrKO mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anti-atherogenic and hypotriglyceridemic properties of fish oil are attributed to its enrichment in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6, n-3). Echium oil contains stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4, n-3), which is metabolized to EPA in humans and mice, resulting in decreased plasma triglycerides.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We used apoB100 only, LDLrKO mice to investigate whether echium oil reduces atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were fed palm, echium, or fish oil-containing diets for 16 weeks and plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and atherosclerosis were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to palm oil, echium oil feeding resulted in significantly less plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and atherosclerosis, comparable to that of fish oil.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report that echium oil is anti-atherogenic, suggesting that it may be a botanical alternative to fish oil for atheroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology/Section on Lipid Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States.
authors.forename: Lolita M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boudyguina
authors.forename: Martha D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Parks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D036661:Echium; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D005395:Fish Oils; D010938:Plant Oils; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D000073878:Palm Oil; D002784:Cholesterol
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