高脂血症对大白鼠血液流变学影响的初探

为了研究高脂血症大白鼠血液流变学指标的变化,本次试验将SD大白鼠随机分为两组,分别给予普通饲料、高脂饲料,连续饲喂14 d,然后测定大白鼠血清甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)以及血液流变学指标。结果显示,试验高脂组大白鼠血清TC、LDL-C含量显著升高,HDL-C显著低于正常对照组;高脂组大白鼠全血黏度、红细胞压积均较空白组明显升高。说明给予大白鼠高脂饲料90 d,可出现高脂血症,并且血液流变学指标会发生明显的变化。     

高脂蛋白血症大鼠模型的构建

通过实验研究建立大鼠高脂蛋白血症模型。取雄性SD大鼠采用腹腔注射维生素D3联合高脂乳剂喂养法建立大鼠高脂蛋白血症模型。造模24 d后测定大鼠血清中总胆固醇(T-CHO)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)及甘油三酯(TG),观察造模后各组大鼠肝脏组织变化。结果显示:高脂蛋白血症模型组与空白组比较大鼠血清中T-CHO、LDL-C和TG显著升高,HDL-C显著降低(p 0.01),模型组大鼠肝脏组织表面有明显脂肪粒。实验结果表明,腹腔注射维生素D3的联合高脂乳剂喂养法可以成功建立大鼠高脂蛋白血症模型。     

红参与发酵红参对高脂膳食大鼠血脂及抗氧化活性的影响

为了探讨红参与发酵红参对高脂膳食大鼠血脂水平及抗氧化活性的影响,取40只雄性大鼠按体重分为对照组(ND),单纯高脂饲料(HFD)组,高脂饲料加红参(HFD+1%RG)组和高脂饲料加发酵红参(HFD+1%FRG)组。喂养4周后腹主动脉取血,测定血清中总胆固醇(TG)、甘油三酯(TC)、低密度胆固醇(HDL-C)、高密度胆固醇(LDL-C)、抗氧化指标SOD,MDA及T-AOC。结果与高脂膳食模型组比较,红参与发酵红参可以降低大鼠血清的TC及LDL-C的含量,升高HDL-C含量,同时降低动脉粥样硬化指数(AI),组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05),并可使肝组织的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC),超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活力上升,丙二醛(MDA)含量降低,组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。表明发酵红参具有抗动脉粥样硬化与抗氧化能力,其效果优于红参。     

高脂饲料及运动干预对大鼠生理机能的影响

试验将66只试验大鼠划分为对照组与高脂组，饲喂4周普通饲料和高脂饲料后测定其血液中的总胆固醇、甘油三酯等指标，判定高脂血症模型是否造模成功。将造模成功的高脂大鼠分为试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组，试验Ⅰ组继续高脂饲喂，试验Ⅱ组采取运动干预，分析高脂饲料及运动干预对大鼠生理机能的影响。试验结果表明，经过运动干预后提升了试验大鼠高密度脂蛋白胆固醇，降低了低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇和甘油三酯。试验结果验证了运动干预可以提升高脂血症大鼠的脂质代谢水平，改善大鼠生理机能。     

牛磺酸对饲喂高脂、高胆固醇饲料大鼠脂肪代谢影响的研究

以Wistar大白鼠为研究对象,饲喂高脂、高胆固醇血症饲料,以研究牛磺酸对脂肪代谢的影响。结果表明,本试验所配制的饲料可以成功地诱导大鼠产生高胆固醇血症及动脉硬化,大鼠日粮中添加1％牛磺酸可显著降低血清中的甘油二脂(TG)及肝脂肪含量;添加3％或5％牛磺酸,血清中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平显著升高,血清总胆固醇(T-CHO)、动脉硬化指数(AI)显著下降,且5％牛磺酸添加效果显著优于3％。     

SD大白鼠高脂血症及脂肪肝模型的建立

为了建立SD大白鼠高脂血症及脂肪肝模型,试验将SD大白鼠随机分为2组,分别给予正常饲料、高脂饲料,连续饲喂30 d,测定SD大白鼠血清三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)和胆汁酸,取SD大白鼠肝脏称湿重,计算肝脏指数(肝脏湿重与SD大白鼠体重之比),并取一小块肝脏组织置于10%中性福尔马林溶液中固定,苏木精-伊红染色(H.E.染色),显微镜下进行组织病理学检查。结果表明:与对照组相比,高脂模型组血清TC、LDL-C含量极显著升高(P0.01),高脂模型组血清HDL-C含量极显著降低(P0.01);高脂模型组肝脏指数、第30天胆汁酸指标极显著高于对照组(P0.01)。病理组织学检查结果表明,高脂模型组SD大白鼠肝小叶结构轮廓基本消失,肝细胞形态不规则,大部分肝细胞肿胀呈气球样变,并可见肝细胞空泡变性,部分肝细胞出现溶解性坏死。说明采用高脂饲料饲喂SD大白鼠30 d可出现高脂血症,并且导致肝脏肿大、脂肪肝及部分肝细胞出现溶解性坏死。     

大米蛋白粉替代商品饲料对黄鳝生长及转氨酶、脂肪代谢酶等指标的影响

试验探讨大米蛋白粉替代黄鳝专用商品饲料对黄鳝生长及转氨酶、脂肪代谢酶等指标的影响。对照组饲料中冰鲜鱼与商品饲料各占1/2重,4种试验组饲料中,大米蛋白粉分别替代25%、50%、75%、100%的商品饲料。结果显示,各组黄鳝成活率无显著差异(P0.05),但随着大米蛋白粉替代比例增加,黄鳝增重率显著下降(P0.05),饲料系数显著上升(P0.05),因此,从生长效果考虑,大米蛋白粉替代商品饲料的比例应低于25%。随着大米蛋白粉替代比例的增加,血清葡萄糖含量不断上升,谷草转氨酶活力下降;γ-谷氨酰转肽酶与谷丙转氨酶活力呈先升高后降低变化趋势,50%组显著升高(P0.05);血清甘油三酯含量,肝脏脂蛋白酶、肝脂酶以及总脂酶活力呈抛物线变化,在50%或75%替代水平显著升高(P0.05),而血清总胆固醇含量在100%替代时显著升高(P0.05)。     

Ge-132对蛋鸡脂类代谢的影响

150只35周龄蛋鸡,随机分为5组,每组30只。Ⅰ～Ⅳ组饲喂在基础日粮中添加四个不同梯度剂量Ge-132饲料,对照(V)组只喂基础日粮。定期检测鸡血锗含量、血清总脂、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、高密度胆固醇脂蛋白和鸡卵黄中胆固醇含量以及蛋中的含锗量,研究了Ge-132对蛋鸡脂类代谢的影响。研究结果表明伴随血锗和蛋锗含量的增高,同时显示:试验Ⅰ～Ⅳ组鸡自饲后第5天开始,血总脂、甘油三酯含量明显降低,与对照(V)组相比差异显著(p<0.05);自第10天开始血中胆固醇含量开始降低,至第20天时降低明显,且第Ⅰ、Ⅱ组与对照(V)组差异显著(p<0.05);血清高密度胆固醇脂蛋白含量变化不明显;蛋黄中胆固醇含量自饲后第10天起呈现下降,其中除第Ⅰ组与对照组在第10天及第15天差异不显著外,其余各组均显著低于对照组(p<0.05);上述变化在试验第Ⅰ～Ⅳ组间未见规律性差异。试验结果证实:在饲粮中添加适量的Ge 132可在一定程度上改变鸡体的脂类代谢并影响到鸡蛋蛋黄中胆固醇的含量。本文首次报道成功地通过饲料添加剂途径生产出富锗低胆固醇鸡蛋。     

沙棘果对高脂膳食大鼠肝脏脂代谢的影响

为了研究沙棘果对高脂膳食大鼠肝脏脂代谢的影响,以60只雄性Wistar大鼠为研究对象,随机分为5组,对照组、高脂模型组、沙棘果低、中和高剂量组。对照组给予基础饲料,其余各组给予高脂饲料喂养,同时试验组每日用不同浓度的沙棘果匀浆液灌胃大鼠。4周后处死动物,采集肝脏,分别测定肝脏脂质、脂代谢相关酶及抗氧化指标,光镜下观察肝脏组织病理改变。结果:沙棘果匀浆液可显著降低肝脏总胆固醇(TC)水平,增加高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)水平;使肝脏组织总脂酶(LPS)、肝脂酶(HL)和脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性增强,MDA生成量减少。结论:沙棘果可降低高脂膳食大鼠肝脏脂质水平,提高肝脏脂代谢酶活性,增强抗氧化能力,减缓肝细胞的脂质过氧化。     

高脂饲料中添加绿原酸对草鱼生长性能和脂质代谢的影响

本试验旨在探讨高脂饲料中添加绿原酸(CGA)对草鱼生长性能和脂质代谢的影响。选择健康、初始体重为(7.53±0.30)g的草鱼360尾,随机分为4组,C(对照)、200CGA、400CGA、600CGA组分别饲喂CGA添加水平为0、200、400、600 mg/kg的高脂饲料(粗脂肪含量约为9.00%),每组3重复,每重复30尾,饲喂11周。结果表明,与C组相比:1)400CGA组鱼终末体重、增重率、蛋白质效率均显著提高(P0.05),其中终末体重增加15.90%,增重率提高22.96%,蛋白质效率提升17.75%,同时饲料系数显著降低(P0.05),降低14.86%;2)200CGA、400CGA组血清总胆固醇(T-CHO)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量显著降低(P0.05),试验组血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)含量显著提高(P0.05);3)试验组肝胰脏甘油三酯(TG)、T-CHO、LDL-C含量显著降低(P0.05),肝胰脏肝脂酶(HL)、总脂酶(TL)活力显著提高(P0.05),400CGA、600CGA组肝胰脏HDL-C含量显著提高(P0.05),400CGA组肝胰脏脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活力显著提高(P0.05);4)透射电镜切片结果显示,400CGA、600CGA组肝胰脏细胞内脂滴体积小、数量少、分布较稀疏。结果提示,高脂饲料中CGA添加水平为400 mg/kg时,可促进草鱼机体脂质代谢,改善生长性能。     

Comparative study on hypocholesterolemic effect of Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Rhodobacter capsulatus on rats fed a high cholesterol diet

This comparative study was to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effects of dietary Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Rhodobacter capsulatus on rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Thirty male Wister–Imamichi rats were assigned to three groups and fed on either a high cholesterol diet, or a high cholesterol diet supplemented with 2.0% R. palustris or R. capsulatus for 4 weeks. Compared to the control diet, both of the R. palustris and R. capsulatus supplemented diets significantly reduced the serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and hepatic triglycerides, but increased hepatic cholesterol in rats. In addition, both of the R. palustris and R. capsulatus supplemented diets may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, as the ratio of high density lipoprotein cholesterol to the total cholesterol was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Both the R. palustris and R. capsulatus supplemented diets led to an increase in the serum palmitic acid, compared with the oleic acid and linoleic acid. No significant differences were postulated between the rats fed R. palustris and R. capsulatus supplemented diets during the 4 weeks of the experimental period. Thus, the results may suggest that both R. palustris and R. capsulatus can contribute significant health benefits and seems to be feasible to investigate in future research.     

罗汉果总皂苷对高糖高脂饲料联合链脲佐菌素致2型糖尿病大鼠的作用

试验旨在研究罗汉果总皂苷改善高糖高脂饲料联合链脲佐菌素致2型糖尿病大鼠的作用,以高糖高脂饮食联合链脲佐菌素建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型,造模成功大鼠灌胃给予罗汉果总皂苷（100、200、400 mg/kg）或二甲双胍（268 mg/kg）,每天1次,连续给药4周后,记录"三多一少"指标（24 h内尿量、饮水量和采食量,体重）;检测生化指标,分析空腹血糖值（FBG）、血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、胰岛素（INS）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、尿素氮（BUN）和肌酐（Cr）水平,采用苏木素-伊红染色法（HE）观察胰腺的病理学改变。与模型组比较,罗汉果总皂苷各剂量组及二甲双胍组均可显著或极显著降低采食量、饮水量、尿量,血液指标FBG、INS、MDA、TC、TG、BUN和Cr水平、以及AST和ALT活性（P<0.05;P<0.01）,而CAT、SOD活性和HDL-C水平显著或极显著升高（P<0.05;P<0.01）;胰腺组织中,胰腺细胞数目明显增多,胰腺病理性损伤明显减轻。罗汉果总皂苷及二甲双胍均具有明显改善糖代谢紊乱的作用,同时可明显减轻胰岛素抵抗,增强机体抗氧化应激的能力和改善肝肾功能。     

Effects of Momordica grosvenori Saponins on Type 2 Diabetes Rats Induced by High-sucrose/High-fat Diet and Streptozotocin

The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of Momordica grosvenori saponins on improving the effect of high-sucrose/high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetes in rats.The type 2 diabetes rat model was established with a high-sucrose and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin.Successfully modeled rats were given the total saponins of Momordica grosvenori (100,200,400 mg/kg) or metformin (268 mg/kg) by gavage,once a day for 4 weeks.Recording the "three more and one less"index (24 h internal urine output,water intake and feed intake,body weight);Detecting of biochemical indicators,analysis of fasting blood glucose (FBG),serum total cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),insulin (INS),catalase (CAT),superoxide dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),alanine aminotransferase (AST),aspartate aminotransferase (ALT),blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels.Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the pathological changes of the pancreas.Compared with the model group,the feed intake,water intake,urine output,blood indicators FBG,INS,MDA,TC,TG,BUN and Cr levels,AST and ALT activities were significantly or extremely significantly decreased in the total saponins of Momordica grosvenori each dose group and metformin group (P<0.05;P<0.01),while CAT,SOD activities and HDL-C level were significantly or extremely significantly increased (P<0.05;P<0.01).In pancreatic tissue,the number of pancreatic cells was increased significantly,and the pathological damage of the pancreas was significantly reduced. Momordica grosvenori saponins and metformin had obvious effects on improving glucose metabolism disorders,and at the same time could significantly reduce insulin resistance,enhance the body’s ability to resist oxidative stress and improve liver and kidney functions.     

Effects of peach palm oil on performance, serum lipoproteins and haemostasis in broilers

1. An experiment was conducted to study the comparative effects of peach palm oil (PPO, Bactris gasipaes H.B.K), crude palm oil (CPO, Elaeis guinenesis), maize oil (MO) and beef tallow (BT) on serum total and lipoprotein cholesterol levels and haemostatic factors in broiler chickens. 2. Four experimental diets were formulated to be isocaloric (14·2 MJ AME(N)/kg) and isonitrogenous (230 g CP/kg). PPO was extracted from the whole dry fruit with hexane. Each fat was added to the diet in an amount equivalent to 25% of total dietary calories. Six replicate groups of eight male broiler chicks were assigned randomly to each dietary treatment. Diets were fed on ad libitum basis. The experiment lasted 42 d. 3. At 42 d, birds were fasted overnight and three chickens/dietary treatment were utilised to draw blood for lipoprotein separation. Various haemostatic factors were determined in thrombocyte-poor plasma. Thrombocyte aggregation was assayed in whole blood. 4. No significant differences were detected in body-weight gain or feed efficiency between the chickens fed on the PPO diet and those receiving the CPO, MO or BT diets. Total serum cholesterol (TC), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL(C)) were not significantly affected after consuming the PPO, CPO and MO diets. Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL(C)) was reduced only by the MO diet. Birds fed on the PPO diet had a significantly lower [corrected] LDLC/HDLC ratio compared with other dietary treatments 5. Thrombocyte count and thrombin time were not significantly affected by the experimental diets. Dietary oils significantly affected prothrombin time, fibrinogen concentration and thrombocyte aggregation. PPO and MO diets elicited the lowest fibrinogen levels compared to the CPO and BT diets. Thrombocyte aggregation in broilers fed on the PPO diet was similar to that of the CPO, MO and BT diets. 6. The results suggest that PPO might efficiently provide up to 25% of dietary energy in broiler diets. Additionally, PPO elicited a more favourable LDL(C)/HDL(C) ratio and haemostatic pattern in broiler chickens. These findings may be of general interest to the food industry.     

Influence of dietary protein on blood cholesterol and related metabolites of growing calves

Forty male, Holstein calves were utilized to evaluate effects of either low (12%) or high (25%) dietary protein on growth and serum metabolites, with a particular concern for serum cholesterol. All diets contained 19% acid detergent fiber and consisted of corn silage, alfalfa hay and grain mixtures. Average concentration of total serum cholesterol was depressed (P = .001) for calves on the high-protein diets (58.8 mg/dl) as compared with their low-protein counterparts (67.9 mg/dl). Calves fed the high-protein diet had lower (P = .002) free serum cholesterol but elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a percentage of total cholesterol. Calves receiving the high-protein diets showed increases (P = .206) in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity compared with low-protein counterparts. Serum urea nitrogen was increased (P = .001) for calves fed high-protein diets, while serum protein and glucose remained unchanged. Calves fed the high-protein diets consumed less dry matter with improved (P = .09) growth efficiency (gain/feed).     

Effects of eight weeks of physical conditioning on atherosclerotic plaque in swine

Effects of individually prescribed exercise on the regression or interference with deposition of atherosclerotic plaque were studied. Twenty miniature swine allotted, by litter, to a control-diet group (groups CE and CS) and an atherogenic diet group (groups AE and AS). All pigs were subjected to injury (balloon catheter) of the aortic endothelium. They were fed for 8 weeks and after an initial graded exercise test was done, then each group was suballotted to an exercising group (groups CE and AE) or a sedentary group (groups CS and AS). Groups CE and AE (exercised) were given 8 weeks of training. Groups CS and AS (sedentary) were sham exercised during this period. A second graded exercise test was administered to the swine (all groups) before they were euthanatized. Aortas were analyzed for the percentage of area involved and for atherosclerotic plaque density. Samples of blood from the swine after they were fasted were obtained before the start of the project (base line) and once every 2 weeks thereafter. These were analyzed for triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol concentration. Comparison of results of blood lipid analyses from weeks 1, 9, and 15 did not show significant differences within diet groups between exercise and sedentary. Significant differences at weeks 9 and 15 were observed between diet groups (ie, the pigs fed the atherosclerotic diet had higher blood lipids). Plaque formation was not found in the pigs fed the control diet (groups CE and CS). Plaque formation was evident in all pigs fed the atherosclerotic diet (groups AE and AS) with no significant differences between exercised and sedentary groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Dietary Fats Differentially Affect Hepatic ACAT Activity and LDL-Cholesterol in Postweanling Pigs Fed Low-Fat Diets

Two separate studies tested the hypoth-esis that plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can be decreased by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by depressing hepatic acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity. In the first experiment, 3 groups of 6 early-weaned piglets were fed low-fat diets containing either 1.5% CLA, 1.5% corn oil or 1.5% beef tallow;fat provided 8% of the energy intake. In the second experiment, 4 groups of 6 early-weaned piglets were fed high-fat di-ets containing either 15% beef tallow, 12% beef tal-low plus 3% CLA, 15% corn oil, or 12% corn oil plus 3% CLA; fat provided 29% of energy intake. Cholesterol was balanced across diets in both experi-ments. In pigs fed the low-fat diets, all dietary fats in-creased LDL-C and triacylglycerols and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). LDL-C was the same in pigs fed low-fat tallow or low-fat CLA diets. However, ACAT activity was near-ly 80% higher in pigs fed the low-fat tallow diet than in pigs fed the low-fat CLA diets. All high-fat diets increased LDL-C, HDL-C and triacylglycerols equally with no effect on VLDL-C. There were no unique fat-ty acid effects of the high-fat diets on ACAT activity.We conclude that supplemental fats had differential effects on hepatic ACAT activity and LDL-C, but on-ly in pigs fed low-fat diets.     

Changes in selected serum parameters of broiler chicken fed supplemental chromium

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chromium (Cr) from Cr yeast on the growth performance and total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, total protein and Cr concentration in the serum of broiler chicken. The birds were fed a control diet or a control diet supplemented with Cr at a level of 300, 500 microg/kg Cr. The supplementation of 500 mug/kg Cr increased body weight, weight gain and feed efficiency (p < 0.05). In addition, supplementation with Cr decreased the serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.05) and glucose (p < 0.05) concentrations whereas serum HDL cholesterol increased. Serum total protein and serum Cr concentration slightly but not significantly increased in both Cr groups. The study suggest that Cr supplementation particularly at 500 microg/kg Cr from Cr yeast can influence on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of broiler chicken and can be used as additives in animal diet but it still needs more investigations.     

Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Dietary Fats Differentially Affect Hepatic ACAT Activity and LDL-Cholesterol in Postweanling Pigs Fed Low-Fat Diets

Two separate studies tested the hypothesis that plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can be decreased by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by depressing hepatic acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity.  In the first experiment, 3 groups of 6 early-weaned piglets were fed low-fat diets containing either 1.5% CLA, 1.5% corn oil or 1.5% beef tallow; fat provided 8% of the energy intake.  In the second experiment, 4 groups of 6 early-weaned piglets were fed high-fat diets containing either 15% beef tallow, 12% beef tallow plus 3% CLA, 15% corn oil, or 12% corn oil plus 3% CLA; fat provided 29% of energy intake.  Cholesterol was balanced across diets in both experiments.  In pigs fed the low-fat diets, all dietary fats increased LDL-C and triacylglycerols and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). LDL-C was the same in pigs fed low-fat tallow or low-fat CLA diets.  However, ACAT activity was nearly 80% higher in pigs fed the low-fat tallow diet than in pigs fed the low-fat CLA diets.  All high-fat diets increased LDL-C, HDL-C and triacylglycerols equally with no effect on VLDL-C.  There were no unique fatty acid effects of the high-fat diets on ACAT activity.  We conclude that supplemental fats had differential effects on hepatic ACAT activity and LDL-C, but only in pigs fed low-fat diets.     

The Effect of Lecithin Supplementation on the Biochemical Profile and Morphological Changes in the Liver of Rats Fed Different Animal Fats

Sixty-four Wistar rats were divided into 8 equal groups and kept for 36 days in individual boxes. Three of the groups were given full synthetic diets containing various animal fats: beef tallow, pork fat or fish oil. A control group was fed the diets without the fat. The other four groups were fed the same diets with lecithin supplementation. At the end of experiment, sections taken from the liver were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and Sudan III to indicate fat infiltration. Liver enzyme levels, total bilirubin, albumin and two products of lipd metabolism were measured in serum from all the animals. The addition of lecithin to the diets did not influence the level of enzymes in the serum except in rats fed the diet containing beef tallow. A relationship between the type of diet, lecithin supplementation and the total cholesterol concentration in serum was observed. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol was only influenced by lecithin supplementation and that of triglycerides by the type of fat in the diet. The addition of lecithin to the diet was associated with proliferation of Kupffer cells, and an increased number of binuclear cells. Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was less pronounced in all groups following lecithin supplementation. Lecithin supplementation of the diet did not elicit any pathological lesions and may be considered as a hepatocyte protector. This favourable effect of lecithin was most marked in the group of rats fed the fish oil.