Hypolipidemic effect of intravenous pluronic L-81 in fasted rats treated with Triton WR-1339: possible inhibition of hepatic lipoprotein secretion

Pluronic L-81 (L-81), a non-ionic hydrophobic surfactant, is a powerful inhibitor of the secretion of lipid-transporting chylomicrons from intestinal epithelial cells to lymph. Since the other major organ that secretes lipoproteins into the circulation is the liver, whose principal lipid secretory product is very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), we tested the hypothesis that L-81 will also inhibit hepatic lipid secretion. Rats were fasted so that they had little lipid input from the intestine. We then administered Triton WR-1339 (tyloxapol) intravenously to block peripheral utilization of VLDL, causing plasma lipids to rise rapidly. Some animals were also given L-81 intravenously to test whether the L-81 would retard the tyloxapol-induced rise in plasma lipids. Administration of tyloxapol alone (250 mg/kg) increased plasma triglyceride, phospholipid and cholesterol concentrations considerably. Simultaneous administration of a small dose of L-81 (6 mg/kg) markedly reduced the rise in plasma triglyceride, particularly in the first hour (by 45%). L-81 also diminished the rise in plasma phospholipid and cholesterol, but to a lesser extent (30%). In the fasting rat, most of the plasma triglyceride is in VLDL; therefore, L-81 probably acts by decreasing the secretion of hepatic VLDL. Thus, Pluronic L-81 may be a useful tool for examining the secretion and metabolism of hepatic lipoproteins, in particular, VLDL.     

Eritadenine-induced alterations of plasma lipoprotein lipid concentrations and phosphatidylcholine molecular species profile in rats fed cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets

The effects of dietary eritadenine on the concentration of plasma lipoprotein lipids and the molecular species profile of plasma lipoprotein phosphatidylcholine (PC) were investigated in rats fed cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets to obtain insights into the relationship between the changes in PC molecular species profile and the hypocholesterolemic action of eritadenine. The effect of eritadenine on the secretion rate of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) from the liver was also estimated. Rats were fed the control or eritadenine-supplemented (50 mg/kg) diets with or without exogenous cholesterol for 14 d. Eritadenine supplementation significantly decreased the cholesterol of major plasma lipoproteins, high density lipoprotein and VLDL, in rats fed cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets, respectively. The ratio of PC to phosphatidylethanolamine, delta6-desaturase activity, and the ratio of arachidonic acid to linoleic acid in liver microsomes were markedly decreased by eritadenine irrespective of the presence or absence of exogenous cholesterol. Dietary eritadenine increased the proportion of 16:0-18:2 molecular species with a decrease in 18:0-20:4 in plasma lipoprotein PC in both rats fed cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets. Eritadenine did not depress the secretion rate of VLDL in rats fed a cholesterol-free diet containing a high level of choline. The results indicate that dietary eritadenine elicits its hypocholesterolemic action with modulations of the fatty acid and molecular species profiles of PC irrespective of the presence or absence of exogenous cholesterol. The eritadenine-induced alteration of PC molecular species profile is discussed in relation to the hypocholesterolemic action of eritadenine.     

Dietary oxidized cholesterol decreases expression of hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in rats

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dietary oxidized cholesterol and pure cholesterol on plasma and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) lipids and on some parameters of VLDL assembly and secretion in rats fed two different dietary fats. Four groups of male growing Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing pure or oxidized cholesterol (5 g/kg diet) with either coconut oil or salmon oil as dietary fat (100 g/kg diet) for 35 days. Rats fed oxidized cholesterol supplemented diets had significantly lower concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol in plasma and VLDL than rats fed pure cholesterol supplemented diets irrespective of the type of fat. In addition, rats fed oxidized cholesterol supplemented diets had significantly lower relative concentrations of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) than rats fed pure cholesterol supplemented diets. In contrast, hepatic lipid concentrations and the relative concentration of apolipoprotein B mRNA were not influenced by the dietary factors investigated. Parameters of hepatic lipogenesis (relative mRNA concentration of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c and activity of glucose-6-phosphat dehydrogenase) were significantly reduced by feeding fish oil compared to coconut oil, but were not affected by the type of cholesterol. In conclusion, the data of this study suggest, that dietary oxidized cholesterol affects VLDL assembly and/or secretion by reducing the synthesis of MTP but not by impairing hepatic lipogenesis or synthesis of apolipoprotein B.     

Radiation-induced Formation of 3-Cyclohexylbutanal in Cyclohexane Containing Crotonaldehyde

The effects of dietary octopine, which is one of the major extractive component of marine molluscs, on the level of serum and liver cholesterol of rats fed with cholesterol-enriched or cholesterol-free diets were investigated. Dietary supplementation with 1.5% octopine in a cholesterol-enriched diet significantly decreased the serum total- and VLDL + LDL-cholesterol levels and by contrary increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level in rats. The same tendency was observed in the rats fed with 1.5% octopine in a cholesterol-free diet.     

Hepatic expression of apolipoprotein A-I gene in rats is upregulated by monounsaturated fatty acid diet

The effect of the degree of dietary fat saturation on the hepatic expression of apolipoprotein A-I mRNA was studied in male rats. Animals were maintained for two months on a high fat diet (40% w/w) containing 0.1% cholesterol. Two groups of control animals received either chow diet or chow plus 0.1% cholesterol, while experimental groups received their fat supplement as coconut, corn or olive oil respectively. Dietary cholesterol did not affect apolipoprotein A-I mRNA levels as compared to control animals. Corn oil fed animals had significantly higher levels of hepatic apolipoprotein A-I mRNA than those receiving cholesterol, or coconut oil plus cholesterol. Olive oil fed animals had significantly higher levels of hepatic apolipoprotein A-I mRNA when compared to all other dietary groups. Our data indicate that monounsaturated fatty acids supplied as olive oil play a major role in regulating the hepatic expression of apolipoprotein A-I in male rats.     

Influence of dietary lipids on hepatic mRNA levels of proteins regulating plasma lipoproteins in baboons with high and low levels of large high density lipoproteins.

Selective breeding of baboons has produced families with increased plasma levels of large high density lipoproteins (HDL1) and very low (VLDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins when the animals consume a diet enriched in cholesterol and saturated fat. High HDL1 baboons have a slower cholesteryl ester transfer, which may account for the accumulation of HDL1, but not of VLDL and LDL. To investigate the mechanism of accumulation of VLDL + LDL in plasma of the high HDL1 phenotype, we selected eight half-sib pairs of baboons, one member of each pair with high HDL1, the other member with little or no HDL1 on the same high cholesterol, saturated fat diet. Baboons were fed a chow diet and four experimental diets consisting of high and low cholesterol with corn oil, and high and low cholesterol with lard, each for 6 weeks, in a crossover design. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins and hepatic mRNA levels were measured on each diet. HDL1 phenotype, type of dietary fat, and dietary cholesterol affected plasma cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) B concentrations, whereas dietary fat alone affected plasma triglyceride and apoA-I concentrations. HDL1 phenotype and dietary cholesterol alone did not influence hepatic mRNA levels, whereas dietary lard, compared to corn oil, significantly increased hepatic apoE mRNA levels and decreased hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels. Hepatic apoA-I message was associated with cholesterol concentration in HDL fractions as well as with apoA-I concentrations in the plasma or HDL. However, hepatic apoB message level was not associated with plasma or LDL apoB levels. Total plasma cholesterol, including HDL, was negatively associated with hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels. However, compared with low HDL1 baboons, high HDL1 baboons had higher concentrations of LDL and HDL cholesterol at the same hepatic mRNA levels. These studies suggest that neither overproduction of apoB from the liver nor decreased hepatic LDL receptor levels cause the accumulation of VLDL and LDL in the plasma of high HDL1 baboons. These studies also show that, in spite of high levels of VLDL + LDL and HDL1, the high HDL1 baboons had higher levels of mRNA for LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase. This paradoxical relationship needs further study to understand the pathophysiology of VLDL and LDL accumulation in the plasma of animals with the high HDL1 phenotype.     

Betaine administration corrects ethanol-induced defective VLDL secretion

Our previous studies, demonstrating ethanol-induced alterations in phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis via the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway, implicated a defect in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis. The objective of this study was to determine whether VLDL secretion was reduced by chronic ethanol consumption and whether betaine supplementation, that restores PEMT activity and prevents the development of alcoholic steatosis, could normalize VLDL secretion. The VLDL secretion in rats fed with control, ethanol and the betaine supplemented diets was determined using Triton WR-1339 to inhibit plasma VLDL metabolism. We observed reduced VLDL production rates in chronic alcohol-fed rats compared to control animals. Supplementation of betaine in the ethanol diet increased VLDL production rate to values significantly higher than those observed in the control diet-fed rats. To conclude, chronic ethanol consumption impairs PC generation via the PEMT pathway resulting in diminished VLDL secretion which contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis. By increasing PEMT-mediated PC generation, betaine results in increased fat export from the liver and attenuates the development of alcoholic fatty liver.     

Cholesterol is required for secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein by rat liver.

To study potential effects of hepatic cholesterol concentration on secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) by the liver, male rats were fed on unsupplemented chow, chow with lovastatin (0.1%), or chow with lovastatin (0.1%) and cholesterol (0.1%) for 1 week. Livers were isolated from these animals and perfused in vitro, with a medium containing [2-14C]acetate, bovine serum albumin and glucose in Krebs-Henseleit buffer, and with an oleate-albumin complex. With lovastatin feeding, the hepatic concentrations of cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols before perfusion were decreased, although free cholesterol was unchanged. However, hepatic secretion of all the VLDL lipids was decreased dramatically by treatment with lovastatin. Although total secretion of VLDL triacylglycerol, phospholipid, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters was decreased, the decrease in triacylglycerol was greater than that in free cholesterol or cholesteryl esters, resulting in secretion of a VLDL particle enriched in sterols relative to triacylglycerol. In separate studies, the uptake of VLDL by livers from control animals or animals treated with lovastatin was measured. Uptake of VLDL was estimated by disappearance of VLDL labelled with [1-14C]oleate in the triacylglycerol moiety, and was observed to be similar in both groups. During perfusion, triacylglycerol accumulated to a greater extent in livers from lovastatin-fed rats than in control animals. The depressed output of VLDL triacylglycerols and the increase in triacylglycerol in the livers from lovastatin-treated animals was indicative of a limitation in the rate of VLDL secretion. Addition of cholesterol (either free cholesterol or human low-density lipoprotein) to the medium perfusing livers from lovastatin-fed rats, or addition of cholesterol to the diet of lovastatin-fed rats, increased the hepatic concentration of cholesteryl esters and the output of VLDL lipids. The concentration of cholesteryl esters in the liver was correlated with the secretion of VLDL by the liver. These data suggest that cholesterol is an obligate component of the VLDL required for its secretion. It is additionally suggested that cholesteryl esters are in rapid equilibrium with a small pool of free cholesterol which comprises a putative metabolic pool available and necessary for the formation and secretion of the VLDL. Furthermore, the specific radioactivity (d.p.m./mumol) of the secreted VLDL free cholesterol was much greater than that of hepatic free cholesterol, suggesting that the putative hepatic metabolic pool is only a minor fraction of total hepatic free cholesterol.     

Supplementation of orotic acid to the casein, but not to egg protein, soy protein, or wheat gluten diets, increases serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase activity

Effects of dietary supplementation of orotic acid to a diet containing the casein protein were compared with diets containing egg protein, soy protein, or wheat gluten on lipid levels in the liver and serum and activities of ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) and alanine aminotransferase in the serum of rats. We found that supplementation of orotic acid to each diet increased the contents of the liver total lipids, triacylglycerol, and phospholipids compared with those not supplemented. The contents of liver total lipids, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and phospholipids in rats fed the casein diet were significantly higher than those of rats fed the other three diets when orotic acid was supplemented. The levels of triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and phospholipids in the serum of rats fed the casein diet were markedly decreased by addition of orotic acid. The supplementation of orotic acid significantly increased the activities of both serum OCT and alanine aminotransferase in rats fed the casein diet, but not in rats fed the other diets. In conclusion, liver lipid accumulation induced by dietary orotic acid depends on the type of dietary protein. The enhancement of serum OCT activity may result from liver lipid accumulation in rats fed the casein diet supplemented with orotic acid, demonstrating hepatic damage.     

Cholesterol feeding strongly reduces hepatic VLDL-triglyceride production in mice lacking the liver X receptor alpha

The oxysterol-activated nuclear receptor liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) has been implicated in the control of both cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of excess dietary cholesterol on hepatic cholesterol metabolism, lipogenesis, and VLDL production in homozygous (Lxralpha(-/-)), heterozygous (Lxralpha(+/-)), and wild-type mice. Mice were fed either chow or a cholesterol-enriched diet (1%, w/w) for 2 weeks. On the high-cholesterol diet, fractional cholesterol absorption was higher in Lxralpha(-/-) mice than in controls, leading to delivery of more dietary cholesterol to the liver. Lxralpha(-/-) mice were not able to induce expression of hepatic Abcg5/Abcg8, and massive accumulation of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters (CEs) occurred. Interestingly, despite the inability to upregulate Abcg5/Abcg8, the highly increased hepatic free cholesterol content did stimulate biliary cholesterol output in Lxralpha(-/-) mice. Hepatic cholesterol accumulation was accompanied by decreased hepatic expression of lipogenic genes, probably caused by impaired sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1c processing, lower hepatic triglyceride (TG) contents, strongly reduced plasma TG concentrations (-90%), and reduced VLDL-TG production rates (-60%) in Lxralpha(-/-) mice. VLDL particles were smaller and CE-enriched under these conditions. Lxralpha deficiency did not affect VLDL formation under chow-fed conditions. Hepatic stearyl coenzyme A desaturase 1 expression was decreased dramatically in Lxralpha(-/-) mice and did not respond to cholesterol feeding, but fatty acid profiles of liver and VLDL were only slightly different between Lxralpha(-/-) and wild-type mice. Our data indicate that displacement of TGs by CEs during the VLDL assembly process underlies hypotriglyceridemia in cholesterol-fed Lxralpha(-/-) mice.     

Naringenin prevents cholesterol-induced systemic inflammation,metabolic dysregulation,and atherosclerosis in Ldlr−/− mice

Obesity-associated chronic inflammation contributes to metabolic dysfunction and propagates atherosclerosis. Recent evidence suggests that increased dietary cholesterol exacerbates inflammation in adipose tissue and liver, contributing to the proatherogenic milieu. The ability of the citrus flavonoid naringenin to prevent these cholesterol-induced perturbations is unknown. To assess the ability of naringenin to prevent the amplified inflammatory response and atherosclerosis induced by dietary cholesterol, male Ldlr^−/− mice were fed either a cholesterol-enriched high-fat or low-fat diet supplemented with 3% naringenin for 12 weeks. Naringenin, through induction of hepatic fatty acid (FA) oxidation and attenuation of FA synthesis, prevented hepatic steatosis, hepatic VLDL overproduction, and hyperlipidemia induced by both cholesterol-rich diets. Naringenin attenuated hepatic macrophage infiltration and inflammation stimulated by dietary cholesterol. Insulin resistance, adipose tissue expansion, and inflammation were alleviated by naringenin. Naringenin attenuated the cholesterol-induced formation of both foam cells and expression of inflammatory markers in peritoneal macrophages. Naringenin significantly decreased atherosclerosis and inhibited the formation of complex lesions, which was associated with normalized aortic lipids and a reversal of aortic inflammation. We demonstrate that in mice fed cholesterol-enriched diets, naringenin attenuates peripheral and systemic inflammation, leading to protection from atherosclerosis. These studies offer a therapeutically relevant alternative for the prevention of cholesterol-induced metabolic dysregulation.     

Relationship between dietary tyrosine and plasma cholesterol in the rat

The present study was undertaken to measure the effects of dietary tyrosine added to fish protein and peanut meal on plasma cholesterol and plasma thyroid hormone levels in the rat. These dietary proteins were chosen because they contain similar amounts of tyrosine but release it at different rates during enzymatic hydrolysis. Casein was chosen as the reference protein. Supplementation was used to obtain tyrosine levels similar to that of casein. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed cholesterol-enriched diets containing 15% protein. After 3 weeks of experimental feeding, total postprandial plasma cholesterol was similar in the casein and peanut meal groups and significantly lower in the fish group. When added to the fish diet, tyrosine caused an increase in plasma cholesterol to a level similar to that of the casein group, whereas supplementation had no effect on plasma cholesterol of rats fed the peanut meal diet. The effects of dietary proteins or of tyrosine supplementation on cholesterol levels of the (density less than 1.006 g/mL) lipoprotein fraction were comparable, but not all significant, to those observed on total plasma cholesterol. In addition, casein and fish diets induced significantly higher levels of plasma triiodothyronine (T3) and lower levels of plasma thyroxine (T4) than did the peanut meal diet. However, the addition of tyrosine to the fish or the peanut meal diet did not modify the plasma thyroid hormone levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Proposed mechanisms for red palm oil induced cardioprotection in a model of hyperlipidaemia in the rat

High-cholesterol diets alter myocardial and vascular NO-cGMP signaling and have been implicated in ischaemic/reperfusion injury. We investigated the effects of dietary red palm oil (RPO) containing fatty acids, carotonoids, tocopherols and tocotrienols on myocardial ischaemic tolerance and NO-cGMP pathway function in the rat. Wistar rats were fed a standard rat chow+/-RPO, or a standard rat chow+cholesterol+/-RPO diet. Myocardial mechanical function and NO-cGMP signaling pathway intermediates were determined before, during and after 25 min ischaemia. RPO-supplementation improved aortic output recovery and increased myocardial ischaemic cGMP concentrations. Simulated ischaemia (hypoxia) increased cardiomyocyte nitric oxide levels in the two RPO supplemented groups, but not in control non-supplemented groups. RPO supplementation also increased hypoxic nitric oxide levels in the control diet fed, but not the cholesterol fed rats. These data suggest that dietary RPO may improve myocardial ischaemic tolerance by increasing bioavailability of NO and improving NO-cGMP signaling in the heart.     

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on plasma lipid transport and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in rats

Dietary lecithin can stimulate bile formation and biliary lipid secretion, particularly cholesterol output in bile. Studies also suggested that the lecithin-rich diet might modify hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism. Therefore, we examined hepatic activities of 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase "HMG -CoA reductase", cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase "ACAT" as well as plasma lipids and lipoprotein composition in rats fed diets enriched with 20% of soybean lecithin during 14 days. We also evaluated the content of hepatic canalicular membrane proteins involved in lipid transport to the bile (all P-glycoproteins as detected by the C 219 antibody and the sister of P-glycoprotein "spgp" or bile acid export pump) by Western blotting. As predicted, lecithin diet modified hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. The activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase was enhanced by 30 and 12% respectively, while microsomal ACAT activity showed a dramatic decrease of 75%. As previously reported from ACAT inhibition, the plasma level and size of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were significantly decreased and bile acid pool size and biliary lipid output were significantly increased. The canalicular membrane content of lipid transporters was not significantly affected by dietary lecithin. The current data on inhibition of ACAT activity and related metabolic effects by lecithin mimic the previously reported effects following drug-induced inhibition of ACAT activity, suggesting potential beneficial effects of dietary lecithin supplementation in vascular disease.     

Fatty acid transport protein 4 is dispensable for intestinal lipid absorption in mice

FA transport protein 4 (FATP4), one member of a multigene family of FA transporters, was proposed as a major FA transporter in intestinal lipid absorption. Due to the fact that Fatp4(-/-) mice die because of a perinatal skin defect, we rescued the skin phenotype using an FATP4 transgene driven by a keratinocyte-specific promoter (Fatp4(-/-);Ivl-Fatp4(tg/+) mice) to elucidate the role of intestinal FATP4 in dietary lipid absorption. Fatp4(-/-);Ivl-Fatp4(tg/+) mice and wild-type littermates displayed indistinguishable food consumption, growth, and weight gain on either low or high fat (Western) diets, with no differences in intestinal triglyceride (TG) absorption or fecal fat losses. Cholesterol absorption and intestinal TG absorption kinetics were indistinguishable between the genotypes, although Western diet fed Fatp4(-/-);Ivl-Fatp4(tg/+) mice showed a significant increase in enterocyte TG and FA content. There was no compensatory upregulation of other FATP family members or any other FA or cholesterol transporters in Fatp4(-/-);Ivl-Fatp4(tg/+) mice. Furthermore, although serum cholesterol levels were lower in Fatp4(-/-);Ivl-Fatp4(tg/+) mice, there was no difference in hepatic VLDL secretion in-vivo or in hepatic lipid content on either a chow or Western diet. Taken together, our studies find no evidence for a physiological role of intestinal FATP4 in dietary lipid absorption in mice.     

Phophate-induced renal calcification in the rat.

Studies were done to investigate nephrocalcinosis produced in weanling female Wistar rats fed pelleted, semisynthetic diets. The rats were fed diets varying in concentrations of Ca and P supplied as inorganic salts for periods of 4--6 weeks and results compared with control rats fed laboratory rodent chow for the same period of time. Measurement of renal Ca and P concentrations showed that nephrocalcinosis was produced by semisynthetic diets with inorganic phosphate concentrations as low as 0.5% on a weight basis; in contrast, rats fed regular laboratory chow (P = 0.72%) showed no evidence of nephrocalcinosis. The severity of the lesion was proportional to dietary phosphate concentrations from 0.5 to 1.0% but other dietary factors modified the severity of the lesion. With the lower dietary phosphate of 0.5%, increasing dietary Ca from 0.5 to 1.0% decreased the severity of the renal calcification. Decreasing protein concentrations from 25 to 15% casein increased the severity of the renal lesions. Other dietary factors also appear to modify the phosphate-induced nephrocalcinosis since no lesions occurred in rats on laboratory chow. It is suggested that the availability of dietary phosphate may be a factor. The phosphate in the semisynthetic diets was totally inorganic while the natural foods of laboratory chow contain, at least in part, organic phosphate.     

The influence of estrogen on hepatic cholesterol metabolism and biliary lipid secretion in rats fed fish oil

Both estrogen and dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are known to be hypocholesterolemic, but appear to exert their effects by different mechanisms. In this study, the interaction between dietary fish oil (rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) and estrogen in the regulation of hepatic cholesterol metabolism and biliary lipid secretion in rats was studied. Rats fed a low fat or a fish oil-supplemented diet for 21 days were injected with 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol (5 mg/kg body weight) or the vehicle only (control rats) once per day for 3 consecutive days. Estrogen-treatment led to a marked reduction in plasma cholesterol levels in fish oil-fed rats, which was greater than that observed with either estrogen or dietary fish oil alone. The expression of mRNA for cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase was decreased by estrogen in rats fed a low fat or a fish oil-supplemented diet, while the output of cholesterol (micromol/h/kg b.wt.) in the bile was unchanged in both groups. Cholesterol levels in the liver were increased by estrogen in rats given either diet, but there was a significant shift from cholesterol esterification to cholesteryl ester hydrolysis only in the fish oil-fed animals. Estrogen increased the concentration of cholesterol (micromol/ml) in the bile in rats fed the fish oil, but not the low fat diet. However, the cholesterol saturation index was unaffected. The output and concentration of total bile acid was also unaffected, but changes in the distribution of the individual bile acids were observed with estrogen treatment in both low fat and fish oil-fed groups. These results show that interaction between estrogen-treatment and dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids causes changes in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and biliary lipid secretion in rats, but does not increase the excretion of cholesterol from the body.