Abstract
Six different triglycerides were chemically synthesized each with a single saturated fatty acid of even-numbered-carbon-atom (C2-C12). 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 of C18: 2 group, except that the values in C4, C8 and C10 group were slightly less than that of C18: 2.
2) The food efficiency ratio of each experimental group was significantly lower than that of C18: 2 group.
3) Not only total but also free cholesterol contents in plasma were almost the same in each experimental group, except that the values of C6 group were much higher than that of other groups.
4) Marked increase of HDL-cholesterol level in plasma was observed with C4 group, while the levels in other experimental groups were almost the same.
5) Phospholipid level in plasma of rats fed experimental fats remained within the level of C18: 2 group, but animals fed either C6 or C8 showed exceptionally high level. Especially marked increase was observed with C6 group.
6) Triglyceride level in plasma of rats fed experimental fats was almost the same, except that marked increase was observed in C6 group.
7) By the administration of cholesterol, not only total lipids but also cholesterol levels in liver were increased. These levels of rats fed diet containing fatty acids of C6, C10 and C12 were almost the same, except that cholesterol level of C8 group was uniquely high. By feeding diet containing C2 or C4, the lipid level decreased markedly, but for the cholesterol level, only C4 showed the same tendency.
8) 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.
