The effect of sex on the quantity and properties of the very low density lipoprotein secreted by the liver in vitro.

Livers from normally fed male and female rats were perfused in vitro with different amounts of oleate, and the production and properties of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were studied. The mobility of the VLDL in the zonal ultracentrifuge was dependent on the uptake of free fatty acid and on the sex of the animal from which the liver was obtained. A higher proportion of the VLDL secreted by livers from females displayed a more rapid mobility in the zonal ultracentrifuge and, in addition, contained less phospholipid and cholesterol per mole triglyceride than the VLDL from the male, suggestive of larger size of the VLDL secreted by livers from the female rats. Such differences were diminished when the VLDL was compared at equal output of triglyceride but unequal uptake of free fatty acid. These data suggest that the properties of the VLDL are only secondarily modulated by sex, and primarily result from differences in the capacities of livers from either male or female rats to synthesize triglyceride for transport as VLDL. The quantity of triglyceride secreted, regardless of sex, may be an important determinant of both size and number of the VLDL particles. The incorporation of endogenous hepatic fatty acid into VLDL triglyceride was diminished in livers from both sexes by increased uptake of oleate. The greater output of VLDL triglyceride by livers from female animals was dependent on both exogenous and endogenous fatty acids when relatively small quantities of exogenous oleate were available for uptake by the liver. The proportion of palmitate and oleate in the phospholipid of the VLDL secreted by livers from male rats decreased and the content of arachidonate increased with increasing uptake of oleate; no differences were observed in the composition of the phospholipid fatty acids among the various experimental female groups, although these contained more stearate and less oleate and linoleate compared to the male groups. The change of fatty acid composition of the VLDL phospholipid may reflect inclusion of specific types of phospholipid in the VLDL structure for transport of triglyceride from the liver under particular conditions.     

Hepatic lipid droplets. Isolation, morphology and composition

The floating lipid layer isolated centrifugation of rat liver was examined for composition and ultrastructure. It was chiefly composed of triglycerides and cholesterol esters plus much smaller amounts of free cholesterol, diglycerides, phospholipid and protein. No free fatty acids were detected. The triglyceride and cholesterol ester fractions consisted mostly of esters of linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid. Electron micrographs of the floating lipid layer revealed numerous spherical osmiophilic droplets having a mean diameter of 0.5-2mum with a very-thin dense outer coat. Similar structures were observed as organelles in electron micrographs of the intact liver cell. The amount of triglyceride in the layer decreased in rats starved for 72h, but pellet triglyceride (homogenate minus the floating lipid layer) was unchanged. These results suggest that the floating lipid layer is the representative in vitro of lipid-rich organelles which probably function as a depot form of hepatic-cell neutral lipid.     

Preliminary Investigation on the Effect of Dietary Supplemental Biotin and Palm Kernel Oil on Blood,Liver and Kidney Lipids in Chicks

Abstract

A total of 480 day-old broiler chicks were used in two trials conducted to investigate the performance and lipid contents of blood, liver and kidneys of birds when fed varying levels of palm kernel oil (0% and 2%) and biotin (40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 mcg/kg feed) in a 2 × 6 factorial experimental design. The results showed that blood, liver and kidney lipid concentrations were significantly affected by dietary biotin treatments. While total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol contents were negatively correlated with dietary biotin level, phospholipid concentrations were positively correlated. Biotin-deficient chicks had significantly higher total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol but lower phospholipid contents in their blood and the two organs. Supplementation of the diet with 2% palm kernel oil significantly elevated blood phospholipid concentration, but depressed the accumulation of the other lipid fractions in both organs and the blood of birds. Blood, liver and kidney cholesterol concentrations were not affected by 2% fat supplementation. Observation on the lipid parameters coupled with the results on feed utilisation appeared to suggest that a minimum of 120 mcg of the vitamin per kilograme of diet was required by broiler chicks for optimum performance.     

Dietary fat saturation produces lipid modifications in peritoneal macrophages of mouse

We investigated the effects of a saturated fat diet on mice lipid metabolism in resident peritoneal macrophages. Male C57BL/6 mice were weaned at 21 days of age and assigned to either the experimental diet, containing coconut oil (COCO diet), or the control diet, containing soybean oil as fat source. Fat content of each diet was 15% (w/w). Mice were fed for 6 weeks until sacrifice. In plasma of mice fed the COCO diet, the concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HLD- and (LDL+VLDL)-cholesterol, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) increased, without changes in phospholipid concentration, compared with the controls. In macrophages of COCO-fed mice, the concentration of total (TC), free and esterified cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid (P) and TBARS increased, while the TC/P ratio did not change. The phospholipid compositions showed an increase of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine + phosphadytilinositol, a decrease of phosphatidylethanolamine, and no change in phosphatidylglycerol. (3)H(2)O incorporation into triglyceride and phospholipid fractions of macrophages increased, while its incorporation into free cholesterol decreased. Incorporation of [(3)H]cholesterol into macrophages of COCO-fed mice and the fraction of [(3)H]cholesterol ester increased. COCO diet produced an increase in myrystic, palmitic and palmitoleic acids proportion, a decrease in linoleic and arachidonic acids and no changes in stearic and oleic acids, compared with the control. Also, a higher relative percentage of saturated fatty acid and a decrease in unsaturation index (p <0.001) were observed in macrophages of COCO-fed mice. These results indicate that the COCO-diet, high in saturated fatty acids, alters the lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of macrophages and produces a significant degree of oxidative stress.     

Effects of Dietary Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Protein Level on Liver and Serum Lipid Metabolism of Rats

The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dietary protein level on the liver and serum lipid metabolism of rats were studied. Rats were fed an experimental diet containing 7 or 30% casein with or without 0.1 % PCB for 24 days. Dietary PCB increased the level of triglyceride, phospholipid and cholesterol in the liver. The accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol in liver was markedly increased with a low protein diet. The incorporation of injected ³H₂O into liver cholesterol was increased by PCB, but not affected by the dietary level of protein. The incorporation of the tracer into liver fatty acids was not increased by PCB intake. Dietary PCB also raised serum cholesterol and phospholipid, while PCB decreased triglyceride level, especially in rats on low protein diet. In addition, PCB intake clearly raised serum high density lipoprotein and diminished very low density lipoprotein. In the low protein group, PCB markedly repressed the incorporation of ³H₂O into serum lipids. The results suggest that the hepatic lipids accumulation by the addition of 0.1 % PCB to a low protein diet might be mainly ascribed to a repression in the transport of triglyceride from liver to blood. KEY WORDS: PCB, dietary protein, liver lipids, serum lipoprotein.     

Metabolic changes in lipids of rat plasma and hepatocytes induced by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol treatment

Cultured hepatocytes isolated from livers of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol-treated rats were used to investigate the change of lipid metabolism induced by administration of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol. Treatment with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol caused a decrease of rat plasma lipids (free cholesterol, cholesterol ester, triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine). No difference in the ability of urea nitrogen synthesis could be demonstrated between cultured hepatocytes isolated from livers of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol-treated rats and propylene glycol-treated rats (control). Total cholesterol and cholesterol ester contents of cultured hepatocytes isolated from livers of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol-treated rats were increased in comparison with those of the control. Triacylglycerol content of cultured hepatocytes was not affected by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol treatment. There was no difference in the composition of lipid content between liver tissues and cultured hepatocytes. These results suggest that hepatocytes isolated from livers maintain the character of livers treated with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol or livers treated with propylene glycol. Free cholesterol and cholesterol ester synthesis from [14C]acetic acid by cultured hepatocytes isolated from livers of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol-treated rats were decreased to about 30% of the control. Triacylglycerol and polar lipid (phospholipid) synthesis from [14C]acetic acid were not affected by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol treatment. Microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity of rat liver treated with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol was decreased to about 50% of control. The secretions of free cholesterol, cholesterol ester, triacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, apolipoprotein BL and BS by cultured hepatocytes isolated from livers of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol treated rats were not decreased when compared with the control. Because lipid and apolipoprotein secretions from cultured hepatocytes treated with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol were not decreased and cholesterol contents of liver tissues and cultured hepatocytes treated with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol were increased and hepatic microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity was decreased by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol treatment, it is suggested that the liver plays an important role in hypolipidemia induced by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol by increasing the plasma lipid uptake mediated by an increased amount of lipoprotein receptors of liver membranes.     

Effect in the cow of intraruminal infusions of volatile fatty acids and of lactic acid on the secretion of the component fatty acids of the milk fat and on the composition of blood

1. The effects in the cow of intraruminal infusions of acetic acid, propionic acid or butyric acid on the secretion of the component fatty acids of the milk fat, and of these acids and of lactic acid on the composition of the blood plasma of the jugular vein, have been studied. 2. The infusion of acetic acid or butyric acid increased the yield of the C₄–C₁₆ acids of milk fat but decreased the yield of C₁₈ acids. The infusion of propionic acid decreased the yields of all major component acids except palmitic acid and possibly lauric acid. 3. The changes in the concentrations in blood plasma of glucose and of ketone bodies were consistent with the glucogenic effect of propionic acid and the ketogenic effects of butyric acid and acetic acid. The effects of lactic acid were not consistent from cow to cow. Only with the infusion of acetic acid was a significant increase in the concentration of total volatile fatty acids in blood plasma found. Infusions of butyric acid and of propionic acid tended to depress the concentration of citric acid in the blood plasma and infusion of acetic acid increased it. No consistent effects of the infused acids on the concentration in blood plasma of esterified cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglyceride or phospholipid were observed. 4. The possibility is discussed that the effects of the infused acids on milk-fat secretion are caused through an alteration of the concentrations of precursors of milk fat in mammary arterial blood.     

Effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the acyl-CoA synthetase activity toward medium-chain,long-chain and polyunsaturated fatty acids in mitochondria of mouse liver and brain

Effect of eleven non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the acyl-CoA synthetase activities toward octanoic, palmitic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids was evaluated in mouse liver and brain mitochondria. The drugs tested were aspirin, salicylic acid, diflunisal, mefenamic acid, indomethacin, etodolac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, loxoprofen, flurbiprofen. In mouse liver mitochondria, diflunisal and mefenamic acid exhibited the inhibitory activities not only for octanoic acid (IC₅₀?=?78.7 and 64.7 µM) and but also for palmitic acid (IC₅₀?=?236.5 and 284.4 µM), respectively. Aspirin was an inhibitor for the activation of octanoic acid only (IC₅₀?=?411.0 µM). In the brain, mefenamic acid and diflunisal inhibited strongly palmitoyl-CoA formation (IC₅₀?=?57.3 and 114.0 µM), respectively. The activation of docosahexaenoic acid in brain was sensitive to inhibition by diflunisal and mefenamic acid compared with liver.     

Contributions of fatty acid and sterol synthesis to triglyceride and cholesterol secretion by the perfused rat liver in genetic hyperlipemia and obesity

The relative importance of fatty acid synthesis in triglyceride secretion by perfused livers from lean (normal control) and obese Zucker rats was investigated. Livers from fed animals were perfused in a recirculating system with tritiated water and a constant infusion of oleic acid. Triglyceride secretion was 5 times greater and cholesterol secretion was 35% greater in the obese rat livers. The very-low-density lipoprotein hypersecreted by perfused livers from obese rats contained more apolipoprotein B and exhibited an increased B-48/B-100 ratio. Apo-B was also elevated in the hypertriglyceridemic plasma of obese rats in both fed and fasting states. The very-low-density lipoprotein isolated therefrom was likewise characterized by an increased B-48/B-100 ratio. Ketogenesis was depressed 40% in the obese rat livers and increased hepatic malonyl-CoA was implicated in this alteration. The de novo synthesis and secretion of newly synthesized cholesterol was moderately increased in the perfused livers from obese rats. Tritium incorporation into fatty acids was 15 times greater in the obese genotype. Most of the synthesized fatty acids remained in the liver and were recovered after perfusion in triglyceride and phospholipids. Newly synthesized fatty acids accounted for only 3 and 15% of the triglyceride secreted by the lean and obese rat livers, respectively. A large portion of the secreted triglyceride fatty acids was derived from endogenous liver lipids. When the turnover of newly synthesized fatty acids in these pools was considered, the contribution of de novo fatty acid synthesis to triglyceride secretion was estimated to be 9% in the lean and 44% in the obese rat livers. Therefore, the altered partition of free fatty acids (Fukuda, N., Azain, M. J., and Ontko, J. A. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14066-14072) and increased fatty acid synthesis are both major determinants of the hypersecretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by the liver in the genetically obese Zucker rat.     

Effect of ethynyl estradiol on the secretion of hepatic triglyceride.

The concentrations of triglyceride in the blood of female rats increased 2- and 4-fold during treatment with 5 and 15 mug/kg of ethynyl estradiol, respectively. The rate of secretion of triglyceride increased 66% over controls with livers obtained from the rats administered ethynyl estradiol. Ethynyl estradiol induced a hypocholesterolemia in the donor animals but the secretion of cholesterol into the perfusate from livers obtained from these animal was not affected. Adrenal corticosterone levels were depressed 48% in animals receivint of ethynyl estradiol on the liver or secondary to other hormonal changes.     

Composition and metabolism of phospholipids of human leukocytes

Human mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes were analyzed for their phospholipid, triglyceride, cholesterol and fatty acid content. The phospholipid/cholesterol ratio was 1.24 for both cels. MN cells contain more phosphatidylcholine (PC), but less phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and sphingomyelin (SPH) than PMN cells when expressed as percent of total phospholipid. When expressed on the basis of lipid content per cell, MN cells contain less PS, PE and SPH but more triglyceride than PMN cells. PMN cells incorporate palmitic, stearic, linoleic and linolenic acids into their phospholipids, triglycerides or cholesterol esters. The incorporation into triglycerides was highest for all fatty acids. Of the phospholipids, the incorporation was highest into PC. Labeled fatty acids also were found in proteins which had been delipidized by exhaustive extraction with organic solvents. These represent tightly or covalently bound fatty acids. The incorporation of [³H]palmitic acid into this protein fraction is stimulated by insulin.     

Invaginierte Mitochondrien in den Leberzellen von Mäuseembryonen nach Röntgen-Bestrahlung

Zusammenfassung 13, 15 und 17 Tage alte Mäuseembryonen wurden zwei oder drei Tage vor der Untersuchung mit 1200, 1500, 1700 bzw. 1800 r in utero bestrahlt. In den Leberzellen 13 und 15 Tage alter Embryonen fanden wir mehr oder weniger stark geschwollene Mitochondrien, deren Oberfläche durch einzelne oder mehrere Invaginationen vergrößert ist. In das Mitochondrium hineinragendes Cytoplasma wird manchmal ganz eingeschlossen und enthält oft konzentrische Membrangebilde. Diese Befunde werden im Zusammenhang mit den von anderen Autoren bobachteten pathologischen Veränderungen der Lebermitochondrien diskutiert.

---

Summary 13, 15, and 17 days old mouse embryos were irradiated with 1200, 1500, 1700, or 1800 r. Their livers were examined two or three days after the irradiation. The liver cells of the 13 and 15 days old embryos showed more or less swollen mitochondria, the surface of which was often increased by one or more invaginations. The surrounding cytoplasm protruded into the mitochondria and was occasionally completely enclosed. Often these cytoplasmic protrusions contained concentric membraneous structures. These findings are discussed taking into consideration the pathologic changes in liver mitochondria described by other authors.

     

Effect of Sargassum polycystum (Phaeophyceae)-sulphated polysaccharide extract against acetaminophen-induced hyperlipidemia during toxic hepatitis in experimental rats

The effect of Sargassum polycystum crude extract on lipid metabolism was examined against acetaminophen-induced (800 mg/kg body wt., intraperitoneally) hyperlipidemia during toxic hepatitis in experimental rats. The animals intoxicated with acetaminophen showed significant elevation in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acid in both serum and liver tissue. The levels of tissue total lipids and serum LDL-cholesterol were also elevated with depleted levels of serum HDL-cholesterol and tissue phospholipid. The acetaminophen-induced animals showed significant alterations in the activities of lipid metabolizing enzymes serum lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL). The levels of liver tissue fatty acids (saturated, mono and polyunsaturated) such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and linolenic acid monitored by gas chromatography were considerably altered in acetaminophen intoxicated animals when compared with control animals. The prior oral administration of Sargassum polycystum (200 mg/kg body wt./day for a period of 15 days) crude extract showed considerable prevention in the severe disturbances of lipid profile and metabolizing enzymes triggered by acetaminophen during hepatic injury. Liver histology also showed convincing supportive evidence regarding their protective nature against fatty changes induced during acetaminophen intoxication. Thus the present study indicates that the protective nature of Sargassum polycystum extract may be due to the presence of active compounds possessing antilipemic property against acetaminophen challenge. (Mol Cell Biochem 276: 89–96, 2005)     

Fatty acid components of rat-tissue lipids

1. The lipids of rat heart, kidney, skeletal muscle and liver were separated by chromatography on silicic acid into cholesterol ester, triglyceride, free-fatty acid and phospholipid fractions. 2. The fatty acid compositions of these fractions were determined by gas–liquid chromatography. 3. Palmitic acid was always present in highest concentration in the cholesterol ester fraction; oleic acid was present in greatest percentage in the triglyceride fraction; arachidonic acid was in highest concentration in phospholipid, and in lowest concentration in triglyceride fractions. 4. The fatty acid compositions of the cholesterol ester fractions were broadly similar for all the extrahepatic tissues. 5. Some differences in fatty acid composition of the phospholipids were evident between the hepatic and extrahepatic fractions.     

Regulation of hepatic secretion of very low density lipoprotein by dietary cholesterol.

Male rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet or the same diet supplemented with either 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2% C for 21 days to investigate the effects of cholesterol on secretion of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Cholesterol feeding increased plasma and hepatic concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma VLDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids were elevated by cholesterol feeding, while the high density lipoprotein (HDL) lipids were reduced. The secretion of the VLDL by perfused livers from these cholesterol-fed rats was examined to establish the relationship between the accumulation of lipids in the liver and the concurrent hyperlipemia. Liver perfusions were carried out for 4 h with a medium containing bovine serum albumin (3% w/v), glucose (0.1% w/v), bovine erythrocytes (30% v/v), and a 10-mCi 3H2O initial pulse. Oleic acid was infused to maintain a concentration of 0.6 mM. Hepatic secretion of VLDL-TG, PL (phospholipid), free cholesterol (FC), and CE increased in proportion to dietary cholesterol and was maximal at 0.5% cholesterol in these experiments in which TG synthesis was stimulated by oleic acid. Secretion of VLDL protein and apoB by the perfused liver was also increased. The molar ratios of surface (sum of PL and cholesterol) to core (sum of TG and CE) lipid components of the secreted VLDL, regardless of cholesterol feeding, were the same, as were the mean diameters of the secreted particles. The molar ratios of surface to core lipid of VLDL isolated from the plasma also were not affected by cholesterol feeding. During perfusion with oleic acid of livers from the rats fed the higher levels of cholesterol, the hepatic concentration of CE decreased, while the level of TG was not changed. We conclude that the hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia that occur in vivo from cholesterol feeding, concurrent with accumulation of CE and TG in the liver, must result, in part, from increased hepatic secretion of all VLDL lipids and apoB. The VLDL particles produced by the liver of the cholesterol-fed rat are assembled without modification of the surface lipid ratios (PL/FC), but contain a greater proportion of cholesteryl esters compared to triglyceride in the core, because of the stimulated transport of CE from the expanded pool in the liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Metabolism of cholesterol in the tissues and blood of the chick embryo

Three artificially inseminated laying White Leghorn hens were given 35-50 micro c of cholesterol-4-(14)C intravenously. Their subsequently produced eggs contained cholesterol-(14)C-labeled yolks. Some of the fertilized eggs were analyzed for cholesterol content and radioactivity. Other eggs were incubated until hatching. The specific activity of the cholesterol contained in the serum and tissues of newly hatched chicks was determined and compared with that of yolk sac, which was taken as representative of egg yolk cholesterol before its metabolic transfer into the chick embryo. The specific activities of cholesterol in intestine, liver, serum, heart, and skeletal muscle and the whole chick were 95-98% of that in yolk sac, but that of brain cholesterol was only 11% of this value. These results indicate that whereas most of the cholesterol in the chick originated from the egg yolk, cholesterol biosynthesis was active in the brain and provided about 90% of its cholestero content. Newly hatched chicks were found to be hyperlipemic compared with older chicks and had fatty livers with a high cholesterol content. Desmosterol was found in 9- and 15-day old chick embryos but not in the newly hatched chicks, in which the only sterol was cholesterol.     

Comparison of metabolism of free fatty acid by isolated perfused livers from male and female rats.

Livers from normal, fed male and female rats were perfused with different amounts of [1-14C]oleate under steady state conditions, and the rates of uptake and utilization of free fatty acid (FFA) were measured. The uptake of FFA by livers from either male or female rats was proportional to the concentration of FFA in the medium. The rate of uptake of FFA, per g of liver, by livers from female rats exceeded that of the males for the same amount of FFA infused. The incorporation by the liver of exogenous oleic acid into triglyceride, phospholipid, and oxidation products was proportional to the uptake of FFA. Livers from female rats incorporated more oleate into triglyceride (TG) and less into phospholipid (PL) and oxidation products than did livers from male animals. Livers from female rats secreted more TG than did livers from male animals when infused with equal quantities of oleate. The incorporation of endogenous fatty acid into TG of the perfusate was inhibite) by exogenous oleate. At low concentrations of perfusate FFA, however, endogenous fatty acids contributed substantially to the increased output of TG by livers from female animals. Production of 14CO2 and radioactive ketone bodies increased with increasing uptake of FFA. The partition of oleate between oxidative pathways (CO2 production and ketogenesis) was modified by the availability of the fatty acid substrate with livers from either sex. The percent incorporation of radioactivity into CO2 reached a maximum, whereas incorporation into ketone bodies continued to increase. The output of ketone bodies was dependent on the uptake of FFA, and output by livers from female animals was less than by livers from male rats. The increase in rate of ketogenesis was dependent on the influx of exogenous FFA, while ketogenesis from endogenous sources remained relatively stable. The output of glucose by the liver increased with the uptake of FFA, but no difference due to sex was observed. The output of urea by livers from male rats was unaffected by oleate, while the output of urea by livers from females decreased as the uptake of FFA increased. A major conclusion to be derived from this work is that oleate is not metabolized identically by livers from the two sexes, but rather, per gram of liver, livers from female rats take up and esterify more fatty acid to TG and oxidize less than do livers from male animals; livers from female animals synthesize and secrete more triglyceride than do livers from male animals when provided with equal quantities of free fatty acid.     

Effect of flaxseed on the fatty acid profile of egg yolk and antioxidant status of their neonatal offspring in Huoyan geese

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of geese’s maternal diet supplemented with flaxseed on the fatty acid profiles of egg yolks and the antioxidant status of their offspring. A total of 288 female Huoyan geese (42 weeks old) were randomly allotted to four experimental groups in this 56-day experiment and fed on diets containing flaxseed at 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. There were nine replicate pens per treatment, with eight geese per replicate pen. The concentration of α-linolenic acid (linear, P<0.01), EPA (20:5n-3; linear, P<0.01), DHA (22:6n-3; quadratic, P=0.03) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (linear, P<0.01) levels in the yolk lipids increased with increasing dietary flaxseed levels. Yolk palmitic acid (16:0, linear, P=0.05), saturated fatty acid (linear, P=0.04) level and total n-6/n-3 ratio (P<0.01) decreased in a linear fashion as dietary flaxseed levels increased. Increasing dietary flaxseed levels linearly decreased (P=0.01) the total cholesterol in egg yolks. After hatching, three 1-day-old gosling were selected randomly from each replicate to determine blood characteristics and liver antioxidant status. Aspartate aminotransferase activity (linear, P=0.03), total triglycerides (linear, P=0.02) and total cholesterol (linear, P=0.05) contents in blood linearly decreased as the levels of flaxseed increased. A linear dose response to maternal dietary flaxseed was detected for the activities of the goslings’ liver enzymes catalase (linear, P=0.01), superoxide dismutase (linear, P<0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (linear, P<0.01). The malondialdehyde (quadratic, P=0.03) and alkaline phosphatase content in the livers of goslings decreased as flaxseed supplementation levels increased. In conclusion, the dietary addition of flaxseed up to 15%, in the maternal diet resulted in increased n-3 PUFA levels in egg yolks and improved the antioxidant status of offspring in a dose-dependent manner.     

Plasma lipoproteins,postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity intralipid half-life,triglyceride secretion rate and liver lipids in the mouse fed different cholesterol diets

Mice (SC), fed a semipurified diet containing cholesterol, cholic acid and sucrose, exhibited, in comparison to control animals (S), an increase in cholesterol, phospholipid and protein of VLDL, LDL₁ and LDL₂, but triglyceride of the same lipoproteins decreased, as did total plasma triglycerides. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity of SC animals was 1.72 times that of S mice. At the same time Intralipid half-life in SC mice was decreased by 52%. Triglyceride secretion rate, after Triton WR 1339 treatment, and liver triglyceride content were reduced in SC animals. HDL mass was decreased in SC mice. Mice (AC) fed a standard diet containing cholesterol showed, in comparison to normal fed animals (A), an increase in cholesterol of VLDL, LDL₁ and LDL₂ but triglyceride of the same lipoproteins decreased as did total plasma triglycerides. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity of AC animals was unmodified as was Intralipid half-life. In AC animals triglyceride secretion rate, after Triton WR 1339 treatment, was reduced but in a less extent than in SC mice. Liver triglyceride was unmodified. HDL mass was decreased in AC mice.     

The effect of altered thyroid status on lipid metabolism in Nubian goats

The effects of triiodothyronine (T3)-induced hyperthyroidism and of carbimazole (CZ)-produced hypothyroidism on lipid metabolism were studied in Nubian goats (Capra hircus). T3 treatment decreased the serum, liver and heart triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the heart and skeletal muscles. CZ treatment at a dose of 90 mg/goat significantly increased the serum triglyceride, liver cholesterol and heart phospholipid. CZ treatment significantly increased the liver and heart triglyceride concentration but the activity of LPL was not affected.