Abstract
Five different triglycerides were chemically synthesized each with a single saturated fatty acid of even-numbered-carbon-atom (C8-C16). Cholesterol and other lipid contents in plasma, liver and adipose tissue were compared among rats fed for 4 weeks different formula diets containing 1% of cholesterol and 5% of the authentic fats.
1) Body weight gain in each experimental group during 4 weeks feeding was almost the same as that in C18: 2 group.
2) Not only total but also free cholesterol contents in plasma were almost the same and there was no significant difference between C18: 2 and CF group. As compared with C18: 2 group, plasma cholesterol levels increased significantly in rats fed C14 or C16. Plasma cholesterol levels generally decreased in rats fed medium chain triglycerides. Especially, the level of total cholesterol of C10 or C12 group and free cholesterol of C10 group were significantly lower than that of C16 group.
3) Marked increase of HDL-cholesterol level was observed with C12 or C14 group, and these did not differed significantly from the level of C18: 2·
4) Phospholipid level in plasma of rats fed experimental fats remained within the level of C18: 2 group.
5) Triglyceride level in plasma of rats fed diet containing C12 or C14 was almost the same as compared with C18: 2, however these levels of other experimental rats decreased markedly.
6) By the administration of cholesterol, not only total lipids but also cholesterol levels in liver were increased. These levels of experimental group were almost the same, except that cholesterol level of C8 group was uniquely high.
7) Fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue lipids showed the pattern of essential fatty acid deficiency: not only the high monoene and triene but also low diene ratio was observed in all experimental group.
