Abstract
Cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism were investigated in a group of rats fed a fish oil-supplemented diet, a rich source of n-3 fatty acids. For comparison purposes, other groups of rats were fed either safflower oil (n-6 fatty acids) or coconut oil (saturated fatty acids). Diets were isocaloric and contained identical amounts of cholesterol. Rats fed fish oils for 2 weeks showed a 35% lower plasma cholesterol level than rats fed safflower oil, who in turn showed a 14% lower plasma cholesterol level than those fed coconut oil. The fall in plasma cholesterol level with fish oils was associated with significant falls in low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but with no significant change in the ratio of low density to high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The fatty acid compositions of plasma, hepatic, and biliary lipids showed relative enrichment with n-3 fatty acids, reflecting the composition of the diet. The fish oil diet increased the basal secretion rate of cholesterol into bile, but the bile acid secretion rate remained unchanged. It is suggested that n-3 fatty acids reduce the plasma cholesterol level in rats by increasing the transfer of cholesterol into bile.
Highlights
Cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism were investigated in a group of rats fed a fish oil-supplementeddiet, a rich source of n-3 fatty acids
The results indicate that a diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids significantly lowers plasma cholesterol levels, in association with an increase in biliary cholesterol excretion
Dietary supplementation with polyunsatured fats rich in n-6 fatty acids is associated with a reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration in man and other species
Summary
Cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism were investigated in a group of rats fed a fish oil-supplementeddiet, a rich source of n-3 fatty acids. The fish oil diet increased the basal secretion rate of cholesterol into bile, but the bile acid secretion rate remained unchanged.mIt is suggested that n-3 fatty acids reduce the plasma cholesterol level in rats by increasing the transfer of cholesterol into bile. There is evidence to suggest that n-3 fatty acids in the diet have protective effects against cardiovascular disease [1, 2] These fatty acids contain 20-22 carbon atoms, multiple double bonds, and are found in large quantities in marine oils. The results indicate that a diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids significantly lowers plasma cholesterol levels, in association with an increase in biliary cholesterol excretion
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