Effects of high vitamin a intake on plasma and liver phospholipid and triglyceride fatty acid compositions in hamsters

Abstract

The fatty acid compositions of plasma and liver phospholipids and triglycerides were studied in hamsters fed for 4 weeks diets containing 0, 40 or 200 mg per kg diet of retinyl palmitate (vitamin A). No major differences were found between animals fed 0 and 40 mg/kg diet of vitamin A. However, significant increases in the levels of 20:3 (n-6) and 18:1 (n-9), and a concomitant decrease in those of 16:0 were found in hamsters fed 200 mg/kg vitamin A. High vitamin A intake also decreased the levels of 22:6 (n-3) in plasma and liver phospholipids. The levels of 20:4 (n-6) in both plasma and liver phospholipids were not affected but were decreased in plasma and liver triglycerides in animals fed various levels of vitamin A.