Comparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

Abstract

The comparative cholesterol lowering and antiatherosclerotic properties of emu oil and olive oil were evaluated in four groups ( n = 8) of hamsters fed a nonpurified diet containing either 10% coconut oil crude and refined, emu oil, and olive oil and 0.05% cholesterol (wt/wt) for 8 weeks. Hamsters fed the olive and emu oil diets had significantly lower concentrations of plasma total cholesterol (−31%, and −25%; P < 0.05, respectively) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (−50%, and −41%; P < 0.05, respectively) compared to the coconut oil–fed hamsters, with no significant differences in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations. Compared to the coconut oil–fed animals, hamsters fed the emu oil and olive oil–containing diets had reduced aortic cholesterol ester concentrations (−20% and −60%, respectively). The present study suggests that compared to a diet containing coconut oil, both emu oil and olive oil are capable of reducing aortic early atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.