Metabolic fate of chylomicrons obtained from rats maintained on diets varying in fatty acid composition

Vegetable oils composition affects the intestinal lymphatic transport and systemic bioavailability of co-administered lipophilic drug cannabidiol

Although natural sesame oil has been shown to facilitate the lymphatic delivery and oral bioavailability of the highly lipophilic drug cannabidiol (CBD), considerable variability remains an unresolved challenge. Vegetable oils differ substantially in composition, which could lead to differences in promotion of intestinal lymphatic transport of lipophilic drugs. Therefore, the differences in composition of sesame, sunflower, peanut, soybean, olive and coconut oils and their corresponding role as vehicles in promoting CBD lymphatic targeting and bioavailability were investigated in this study. The comparative analysis suggests that the fatty acids profile of vegetable oils is overall similar to the fatty acids profile in the corresponding chylomicrons in rat lymph. However, arachidonic acid (C20:4), was introduced to chylomicrons from endogenous nondietary sources. Overall, fatty acid composition of natural vegetable oils vehicles affected the intestinal lymphatic transport and bioavailability of CBD following oral administration in this work. Olive oil led to the highest concentration of CBD in the lymphatic system and in the systemic circulation in comparison to the other natural vegetable oils following oral administration in rats.

Expression of Sar1b enhances chylomicron assembly and key components of the coat protein complex II system driving vesicle budding

OBJECTIVE

SAR1b plays a significant role in the assembly, organization, and function of the coat protein complex II, a critical complex for the transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Recently, mutations in SARA2 have been associated with lipid absorption disorders. However, functional studies on Sar1b-mediated lipid synthesis pathways and lipoprotein packaging have not been performed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sar1b was overexpressed in Caco-2/15 cells and resulted in significantly augmented triacylglycerol, cholesteryl ester, and phospholipid esterification and secretion and markedly enhanced chylomicron production. It also stimulated monoacylglycerol acyltransferase/diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity and enhanced apolipoprotein B-48 protein synthesis, as well as elevated microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity. Along with the enhanced chylomicrons, microsomes were characterized by abundant Sec12, the guanine exchange factor that promotes the localization of Sar1b in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed high levels of the complex components Sec23/Sec24 and p125, the Sec23-interacting protein. Finally, a pronounced interaction of Sec23/Sec24 with sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein and SREBP-1c was noted, thereby permitting the transfer of the transcription factor SREBP-1c to the nucleus for the activation of genes involved in lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that Sar1b expression may promote intestinal lipid transport with the involvement of the coat protein complex II network and the processing of SREBP-1c.

Exchanging saturated fatty acids for (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in a mixed meal may decrease postprandial lipemia and markers of inflammation and endothelial activity in overweight men

Postprandial lipemia, low-grade systemic inflammation, and endothelial activity are related to metabolic disorders. It is well known that dietary fatty acid composition modulates postprandial lipemia, but information on the other metabolic risk markers is limited. We therefore studied the acute effects of a meal rich in SFA compared with those of a meal rich in (n-6) PUFA on postprandial responses in overweight men who are at an increased risk to develop the metabolic syndrome and its comorbidities. In a crossover design, the effects of 50 g butter (rich in SFA) on lipemia and markers for inflammation and endothelial activity were compared with those of 50 g sunflower oil [rich in (n-6) PUFA] during an 8-h postprandial mixed meal tolerance test in 13 overweight men. Postprandial changes in serum TG were comparable between the meals (P = 0.38), except for a reduction in the incremental area under the curve (P = 0.046) in the late postprandial phase after (n-6) PUFA (125 ± 96 mmol⋅min⋅L(-1)) compared with SFA (148 ± 98 mmol⋅min⋅L(-1)). Compared with the SFA meal, the (n-6) PUFA meal decreased plasma IL-6 (P = 0.003), TNFα (P = 0.005), soluble TNF receptors I and II (sTNFr; P = 0.024 and P < 0.001, respectively), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1; P = 0.030) concentrations. These results indicate that exchanging SFA from butterfat for (n-6) PUFA in a mixed meal may decrease postprandial lipemia and concentrations of IL-6, TNFα, sTNFr-I and -II, and sVCAM-1 in overweight men.

Intestinal absorption of long-chain fatty acids: evidence and uncertainties

Over the two last decades, cloning of proteins responsible for trafficking and metabolic fate of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) in gut has provided new insights on cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in fat absorption. To this systematic cloning period, functional genomics has succeeded in providing a new set of surprises. Disruption of several genes, thought to play a crucial role in LCFA absorption, did not lead to clear phenotypes. This observation raises the question of the real physiological role of lipid-binding proteins and lipid-metabolizing enzymes expressed in enterocytes. The goal of this review is to analyze present knowledge concerning the main steps of intestinal fat absorption from LCFA uptake to lipoprotein release and to assess their impact on health.

Beneficial effects of designed dietary fatty acid compositions on lipids in triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Elevated levels of postprandial triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (ppTRLs) are atherogenic. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have exaggerated postprandial lipemia associated with elevation or prolonged residence of ppTRL remnants. We examined whether dietary fatty acid compositions (DFACs) decrease atherogenic lipid profiles in ppTRL subfractions in T2DM Chinese patients. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted among 28 T2DM patients. Patients consumed 1 of 3 standardized DFAC-specific fat meals: equidominant (1:1:1), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-dominant (PUFA-D, 1:1.7:2.3), or monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-dominant (MUFA-D, 1:1.7:1.2) meals. Numbers in parenthesis, respectively, represent the ratio of saturated fatty acids, MUFA, and PUFA to saturated fatty acids. The MUFA-D meal was the control. Triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels were measured in Svedberg flotation rate (S(f)) greater than 400, S(f) 60 to 400, S(f) 20 to 60, and S(f) 12 to 20 ppTRL subfractions at fasting (0 hour) and 2, 4, and 6 hours after the consumption of the fat meals. Effects of DFACs on mean concentrations of triacylglycerols and cholesterol averaged over 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours in ppTRL subfractions were assessed using linear mixed models. Stability and robustness were validated with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Contrasted to the control, equidominant meal reduced 6-hour average triacylglycerol levels in S(f) greater than 400 (P = .002, bootstrap P < .05) and S(f) 20 to 60 (P = .02, bootstrap P < .05) subfractions, and decreased average S(f) 20 to 60 cholesterol (P = .04, bootstrap P < .05); PUFA-D decreased S(f) greater than 400 average triacylglycerol levels (P = .09, bootstrap P < .05). Bootstrap samples suggested that PUFA-D decreased average S(f) 20 to 60 cholesterol levels (bootstrap P < .05). Therefore, modifying DFACs attenuates the atherogenic lipid profile of ppTRLs in T2DM patients; but increasing PUFA ratio may be more feasible.

Lack of influence of test meal fatty acid composition on the contribution of intestinally-derived lipoproteins to postprandial lipaemia

The extent and duration of postprandial lipaemia have been linked to risk of CHD but the influence of dietary variables on, and the relative contributions of, exogenous (chylomicron) and endogenous (VLDL) triacylglycerols to the total lipaemic response have not been comprehensively evaluated. In the present study the triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 and retinyl ester (RE) responses to three test meals of varying monounsaturated (MUFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) content were measured in the triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction of plasma (ρ = 1·006 g/ml) for 9 h after meal consumption. Fifteen healthy normolipidaemic young men consumed, on separate occasions, three test meals which were identical apart from their MUFA and SFA contents. Expressed as a percentage of total energy the MUFA/SFA contents of the meals were: (1) 12 %/17 %; (2) 17 %/12 % and (3) 24 %/5 %. The contribution of the intestinally-derived lipoproteins (chylomicrons) to the lipaemic response was investigated by determining the time to reach peak concentration and the total and incremental areas under the time response curves (AUC and incremental AUC) for RE, apoB-48 and triacylglycerol in the TRL fraction. No significant differences in these measurements were observed for the three meals. However, visual comparison of the postprandial responses to the three meals suggested that as meal MUFA content increased there was a tendency for the triacylglycerol, apoB-48 and RE responses to become biphasic as opposed to the typical monophasic response seen with the 12 % MUFA/17 % SFA meal. Comparison of the apoB-48 and RE responses for the three test meals confirmed other workers’ findings of delayed entry of RE relative to apoB-48 in TRL. The value of the two markers in investigating dietary fat absorption and metabolism is discussed.

Apolipoprotein E enrichment of immuno-separated chylomicron and chylomicron remnants following saturated fatty acids

AIM

We examined the effect of meal fatty acids on lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicron/chylomicron remnants in lipid fractions with a Svedberg flotation rate (Sf) 60-400 and Sf 20-60.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Six healthy middle-aged men received in random order mixed meals enriched with saturated (SFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) or monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids on 3 occasions. VLDL and chylomicron/chylomicron remnants in the lipid fractions were separated by immunoaffinity chromatography against apo B-100. In the Sf 60-400 chylomicron/chylomicron remnants, triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower following PUFA compared with SFA and MUFA (P < or = 0.05). Apolipoprotein (apo) E responses were significantly higher after SFA in chylomicron/chylomicron remnants and VLDL compared with PUFA and MUFA (P < 0.007). However, apo B responses (particle number) were higher following MUFA than SFA (P = 0.039 for chylomicron/chylomicron remnants). Composition of the chylomicron/chylomicron remnants (expressed per particle) revealed differences in their triacylglycerol and apo E contents; in the Sf 60-400 fraction, SFA-rich chylomicron/chylomicron remnants contained significantly more triacylglycerol than MUFA (P = 0.028), more apo E than PUFA- and MUFA-rich particles (P < 0.05) and in the Sf 20-60 fraction, more apo E than MUFA (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

There are specific differences in the composition of chylomicron/chylomicron remnants formed after saturated compared with unsaturated fatty acid-rich meals which could determine their metabolic fate in the circulation and subsequent atherogenicity.

Size and number of lymph particles measured by a particle sizer during absorption of structured oils in rats

Chylomicrons transport absorbed fat from the intestine to the circulation. During dietary fat absorption, the chylomicrons become larger in diameter, and in some studies an increase in chylomicron number has been observed as well. In the present study, we compared particle size and number in rat lymph following administration of four different oils. We administered fish oil, medium-chain TAG (MCT), and two structured oils differing in intramolecular structure, with either medium-chain FA in the outer positions of the TAG and long-chain n-3 PUFA in the sn-2 position (MLM oil) or with the reverse structure (LML oil), to lymph-cannulated rats and collected lymph in fractions for the following 8 h. Chylomicron size was measured by a particle size analyzer immediately after collection, and from these data the number of chylomicrons present was estimated. The number of particles in lymph increased during the absorption of oils containing long-chain PUFA (MLM, LML, and fish oil), whereas it was not affected by administration of MCT. The FA from MCT were probably absorbed via the portal vein; therefore, only a small number of particles were measured in lymph. When comparing the two structured oils, we observed a tendency toward a higher number of particles after LML administration, although the difference was not statistically significant. The highest number of particles after administration of all oils was observed in the size intervals 53-80 and 80-121 nm and probably represented small chylomicrons. Thus, the FA composition influenced the number of particles in lymph during absorption, whereas TAG structure had only a minor influence.

Butter differs from olive oil and sunflower oil in its effects on postprandial lipemia and triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins after single mixed meals in healthy young men

Accumulation of postprandial triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins is generated by assimilation of ingested dietary fat and has been increasingly related to atherogenic risk. Nevertheless, the influence of different kinds of dietary fatty acids on postprandial lipid metabolism is not well established, except for (n-3) polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of test meals containing a common edible fat source of saturated (butter), monounsaturated (olive oil) or (n-6) polyunsaturated (sunflower oil) fatty acids on postprandial lipid and triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein responses. After a 12-h fast, 10 healthy young men ingested mixed meals containing 0 g (control) or 40 g fat, provided as butter, olive oil or sunflower oil in a random order. Fasting and postmeal blood samples were collected for 7 h. The no-fat test meal did not elicit any change over baseline except for plasma phospholipids, insulin and nonesterified fatty acids. Conversely, the three fat-containing meals elicited bell-shaped postprandial changes (P < 0.05) in serum triacylglycerols, free and esterified cholesterol, and nonesterified fatty acids. The butter meal induced a lower postprandial rise of triacylglycerols in serum and chylomicrons (incremental AUC, mmol.h/L: 0.72) than the two unsaturated oils (olive oil: 1.6, sunflower oil: 1.8), which did not differ. Circulating chylomicrons were smaller after the butter meal than after the two vegetable oil meals. The in vitro susceptibility of circulating chylomicrons to hydrolysis by postheparin plasma was higher after sunflower oil than after butter or olive oil. We conclude that butter results in lower postprandial lipemia and chylomicron accumulation in the circulation of young men than olive or sunflower oils after consumption of a single mixed meal.

Lipoprotein lipase and lipogenic enzyme activities in adipose tissue from rats fed different lipid sources

This work was designed to study the effect of different lipid sources on the activities of lipoprotein lipase and lipogenic enzymes in adipose tissue from rats fed ad libitum or energy-controlled diets. Male Wistar rats were fed diets containing 40% of energy as fat (olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil or beef tallow), for 4 wk. Under ad libitum feeding no differences were found among dietary fat groups in final body weight, adipose tissue weights and total body fat. Under energy-controlled feeding, despite isoenergetic intake, rats fed the beef tallow diet gained significantly less weight than rats fed the other three diets. Beef tallow fed rats showed the lowest values for adipose tissue weights and total body fat. When rats had free access to food no effect of dietary lipid source on lipogenic enzyme activities was found. In contrast, under energy-controlled feeding rats fed the beef tallow diet showed significantly higher activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase than rats fed the other three diets. Heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity in perirenal and subcutaneous adipose tissues was not different among rats fed olive oil, safflower oil, palm oil or beef tallow. When comparing both adipose tissue anatomical locations, significantly higher activities were found in subcutaneous than in perirenal fat pad independently of dietary fat. In conclusion, under our experimental protocol, lipogenesis in rat adipose tissue does not seem to be affected by dietary fat type.

Effect of 6 dietary fatty acids on the postprandial lipid profile, plasma fatty acids, lipoprotein lipase, and cholesterol ester transfer activities in healthy young men

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence that postprandial triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins may be related to atherogenic risk.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to investigate the effect of individual fatty acid intakes on postprandial plasma lipoprotein triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations, plasma fatty acids, and preheparin lipoprotein lipase and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activities.

DESIGN

Six test fats high (approximately 43% by wt) in stearic acid, palmitic acid, palmitic + myristic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid (trans 18:1), and linoleic acid were produced by interesterification. After having fasted for 12 h, 16 healthy young men were served the individual test fats incorporated into meals (1 g fat/kg body wt) in random order on different days separated by washout periods. Blood samples were drawn before and 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after the meals.

RESULTS

Different responses to the test-fat meals were observed for plasma lipoprotein triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations, plasma fatty acid concentrations, and lipoprotein lipase and CETP activities (diet x time interaction: 0.001 < P < 0.05). Intake of the long-chain saturated fatty acids stearic and palmitic acids resulted in a relatively lower lipemic response than did intake of the unsaturated fatty acids, probably because the saturated fatty acids were absorbed less and at a lower rate; therefore, the lipemic response took longer to return to postabsorptive values.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatty acid chain length and degree of saturation appear to affect the extent and duration of lipemia and affect hepatic output indirectly. These effects may not be mediated via effects on lipoprotein lipase and CETP activities.

Lymphatic transport in rats of several dietary fats differing in fatty acid profile and triacylglycerol structure

We examined in rats the intestinal absorption of nine very different dietary fats (two rapeseed oils, corn, olive, palm and menhaden oil, butter, cocoa butter and lard) to investigate the influence of fatty acid profile and triacylglycerol structure on absorption. Absorption was followed for 24 h after administration of similar amounts of fats, and the accumulated lymphatic transport and amount of triacylglycerols found in lymph in response to the administered fats were calculated, revealing major differences. The transport of olive and low alpha-linolenic rapeseed oil was significantly higher than that of the other fats (P < 0.05), except corn oil. The lymphatic transport of the other fats followed a slower course, with cocoa butter and menhaden oil having the lowest amounts transported. The amount of triacylglycerols found in lymph in response to the administered fats at 8 h ranged from 27.5% of the administered dose for cocoa butter to 72.1% for olive oil. The value for cocoa butter was significantly lower than that for most other fats. At 24 h, the values ranged from 66.5% for cocoa butter to 121.2% for olive oil. The high value for olive oil suggested transport of endogenous as well as exogenous fatty acids. The low value observed after cocoa butter resulted from decreased lipolysis and possibly also low absorption of triacylglycerols with high levels of long-chain saturated fatty acids in the sn-1/3 position. Furthermore, a low value was observed after menhaden oil administration, suggesting decreased absorption of fats containing (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Overall, these results demonstrate the influence of the fatty acid composition and triacylglycerol structure on the lymphatic absorption of dietary fat.

Intestinal absorption of beta-carotene ingested with a meal rich in sunflower oil or beef tallow: postprandial appearance in triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins in women

BACKGROUND

Evidence indicates that different types of fat have different effects on the postprandial plasma triacylglycerol response. Therefore, the type of fat may influence the appearance of beta-carotene in postprandial triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, which is used as an indicator of intestinal beta-carotene absorption.

OBJECTIVE

We compared in female subjects the appearance of beta-carotene in plasma triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins after beta-carotene was ingested with a meal containing sunflower oil or beef tallow.

DESIGN

Women (n = 11) each ingested 2 different vitamin A-free, fat-rich meals that were supplemented with beta-carotene (47 micromol) and contained equivalent amounts (60 g) of sunflower oil or beef tallow. Blood samples were collected hourly from 0 to 10 h; additional samples were collected at selected intervals until 528 h. In a subgroup of the women (n = 7), plasma chylomicrons and 3 subfractions of VLDLs were separated by cumulative rate ultracentrifugation.

RESULTS

The appearance of beta-carotene in chylomicrons and in each VLDL subfraction was lower after ingestion with the meal containing sunflower oil than after ingestion with the meal containing beef tallow (P < 0.03). In chylomicrons, the area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) for beta-carotene was 38.1 +/- 13.6% lower (P < 0.03); in contrast, the AUC for triacylglycerol was higher (P < 0.05) after the sunflower-oil-rich meal than after the beef-tallow-rich meal.

CONCLUSIONS

Ingestion of beta-carotene with a meal rich in sunflower oil as compared with a meal rich in beef tallow results in lower appearance of beta-carotene and greater appearance of triacylglycerol in triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins.

Zinc deficiency and the activities of lipoprotein lipase in plasma and tissues of rats force-fed diets with coconut oil or fish oil

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of zinc deficiency on the activities of lipoprotein lipase in postheparin serum and tissues of rats fed diets containing either coconut oil or fish oil as dietary fat, using a bifactorial experimental design. To ensure an adequate food intake, all the rats were force-fed by gastric tube. Experimental diets contained either 0.8 mg zinc/kg (zinc-deficient diets) or 40 mg zinc/kg (zinc-adequate diets). The effects of zinc deficiency on the activities of lipoprotein lipase in postheparin serum and postprandial triglyceride concentrations and distribution of apolipoproteins in serum lipoproteins depended on the type of dietary fat. Zinc-deficient rats fed the coconut oil diet exhibited a reduced activity of lipoprotein lipase in postheparin serum and adipose tissue, markedly increased concentrations of triglycerides in serum, and a markedly reduced content of apolipoprotein C in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins compared with zinc-adequate rats fed coconut oil. By contrast, zinc-deficient rats fed the fish oil diet did not exhibit reduced activities of lipoprotein lipase in postheparin serum and adipose tissue and increased concentrations of serum lipids compared with zinc-adequate rats fed the fish oil diet. This study suggests that a reduced activity of lipoprotein lipase might contribute to increased postprandial concentrations of serum triglycerides observed in zinc-deficient animals. However, it also demonstrates that the effects of zinc deficiency on lipoprotein metabolism are influenced by dietary fatty acids.

Dietary interventions affecting chylomicron and chylomicron remnant clearance

Interest in effects of diet on postprandial lipoproteins has increased in recent years as a result of accumulating evidence for adverse cardiovascular consequences of elevated concentrations of triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Particular attention has been given to ability of different fatty acids to modulate postprandial lipoprotein responses because of evidence for both harmful and protective cardiovascular properties of the saturated, monounsaturated and omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) classes. Evidence for direct atherogenic properties of chylomicron remnants has led to attempts to monitor effects of diet specifically on this lipoprotein class. Limitations in the methods employed to measure chylomicron remnants and the small number of human studies which have evaluated effects of meal, and background diet, fatty acid composition, makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions at the present time. However consideration of data from both animal and human studies tends to support the conclusion that diets, and meals, rich in PUFA (particularly long chain omega-3 PUFA), result in attenuated postprandial responses of the intestinally-derived lipoproteins. Attenuated responses to high PUFA meals appear to be due to greater rates of clearance and greater activation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Attenuated responses to high PUFA background diets may be due to adaptive changes involving both accelerated rates of clearance in peripheral tissues and liver, as well as decreased output of the competitor for chylomicron clearance, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL).

Differences in postprandial lipaemic response between Northern and Southern Europeans

Postprandial lipaemic responses to two test meals were investigated in 30 Northern (15 British and 15 Irish), and 30 Southern (Greeks from Crete) healthy male Europeans. The meals were a saturated fatty acid (SFA) meal, which resembled the fatty acid composition of an average UK diet, and a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) meal in which the fat consisted of olive oil. Habitual diets of the two groups differed, with higher total fat, (P < 0.03) and MUFA (P < 0.0001) and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.0001) intakes in Southern than Northern Europeans. Levels of total MUFA (P < 0.02) and oleic acid (P < 0.004) were also higher in adipose tissue of Southern in comparison to Northern Europeans. In both European groups there were no significant differences in postprandial triglyceride response between the two meal types, SFA or MUFA. However, Northern and Southern Europeans showed significant differences in their patterns of postprandial response in plasma triglycerides (P < 0.0001), apolipoprotein B-48 (P < 0.0001), NEFA (P < 0.0001), insulin (P < 0.0007), and factor VII activity (P-0.03). In the case of NEFA, areas under the response curve were higher following the SFA than the MUFA meal for both groups, (P < 0.003) and were greater in Southern than Northern Europeans (P < 0.002) and apo B-48 responses were lower (P < 0.005). Some of these differences may reflect differences in fasting levels since fasting apolipoprotein B-48 levels were lower (P < 0.01) and fasting NEFA (P < 0.02) and insulin (P < 0.005) were higher in the Southern than in the Northern Europeans. In addition, 9 h postprandial post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity was lower in the Southern than in the Northern Europeans (P < 0.0006). This is the first report of differences in postprandial lipid, factor VII and insulin responses in Southern and Northern Europeans which may be of importance in explaining the different susceptibilities of these two populations to risk of coronary artery disease.

The positional distribution of dioleoyl-palmitoyl glycerol influences lymph chylomicron transport, composition and size in rats

The effects of 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl glycerol (OPO) on lymph chylomicron transport, composition and size in rats were investigated in comparison with 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl glycerol (OOP). The OPO and OOP were prepared by enzymatic transesterification reactions. The concentrations of OPO and OOP in the preparations were 65.7 g/100 g, and the composition of fatty acids was similar for each. The OPO preparation contained triacylglycerols with 76.6% of the palmitic acid in the sn-2 position, whereas 100% of the oleic acid was esterified to the sn-2 position in the OOP preparation. Rats were infused with lipid emulsion containing 150 g/L of OPO or OOP via a stomach catheter. Lymph was collected through the mesenteric lymphatic trunk at 1-h intervals for 12 h. Collected lymph chylomicrons were analyzed for triacylglycerol, fatty acids, apolipoprotein A-I and particle size. The maximum transport rates of triacylglycerols in the OPO group were higher than those in the OOP group. The overall absorption of triacylglycerols, palmitic acid and oleic acid in the OPO group was also higher than that in the OOP group. In the chylomicrons, 60-70% of the fatty acids at the sn-2 position of the infused triacylglycerol was transported at the original position. The transport rates of dioleoyl-palmitoyl glycerol in the OPO group were higher than those in the OOP group. The transport rates of apolipoprotein A-I did not differ between groups, whereas the mean diameter of the chylomicrons in the OPO group was larger than that in the OOP group. These results indicate that OPO is absorbed and transported more effectively than OOP.

Fatty acid composition of an oral load affects chylomicron size in human subjects

HDL-phospholipids are determinants in reverse cholesterol transport. They are mostly derived from triacylglycerol (TG)-rich lipoproteins. Chylomicron size is important, therefore, because it is related to the ratio surface phospholipids: core TG and, thus, determines the availability of postprandial phospholipids for transfer to HDL. Eleven healthy young women each ingested four different fat loads supplemented with retinyl palmitate and containing 60 g sunflower oil (SO), oleic-sunflower oil (OSO), mixed oil (MO; (g/kg) linoleic acid 480, oleic acid 380, linolenic acid 13) or beef tallow (BT). At the peak of TG absorption for all loads (4 h) chylomicron diameters, determined by agarose-gel filtration, were larger after SO compared with OSO (P < 0.05) and BT (P = 0.06) and after MO compared with BT (P < 0.05). At 6 h chylomicron size was larger after the vegetable oils compared with BT (P < 0.05 in each case). After each fat load chylomicron size decreased at 6 and 8 h compared with that at 4 h (P < 0.05) except for OSO. Retinyl ester and TG concentrations were lower in chylomicrons after BT than after the other fats but not in the chylomicron-free serum (containing chylomicron remnants), suggesting absorption in the form of very small particles. Compared with the fasting value, the concentration of the Svedberg unit of flotation 20-400 fraction, which contains VLDL and chylomicron remnants, was lower 8 h after MO, the only fat to contain significant amounts of linolenic acid. We conclude that chylomicron size is dependent on the fatty acid composition of ingested fats and the time-course of digestion, being larger for polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich fats and in the early phase of digestion. On the basis of retinyl ester concentration there were no differences between fats in chylomicron-remnant clearance.

Postprandial free fatty acids stimulate activity of human corticosteroid binding globulin

The effect of postprandial variation of free fatty acids (FFA) on serum corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) properties and cortisol (hydrocortisone) concentrations were explored in 11 women (20-30 yr) during 8 h after an oral load of tallow (26% C16:0, 18% C18:0, and 43% C18:1), oleic-sunflower (oleic-SF; 73% C18:1), sunflower (SF; 67% C18:2), and mixed oil (MO; 39% C18:1 and 48% C18:2). Serum FFA increased little after SF and MO but more than doubled in the late postprandial period (6 and 8 h) after oleic-SF (due to monounsaturated FFA) or tallow (due to saturated and monounsaturated FFA). CBG concentrations remained unchanged, but in relation with the postprandial elevation of serum FFA, CBG binding activity was increased after tallow or oleic-SF as a result of a combined two- to threefold increase in affinity constant and a 50% reduction in binding sites. Immunological and in vitro binding studies showed the changes in CBG behavior to be conformational and to be mediated mainly by monounsaturated FFA, especially C18:1. The modifications of CBG properties were associated with sustained high concentrations of cortisol (suppression of midday decrease) 6 and 8 h after tallow or oleic-SF. Thus dietary FFA may have an impact on bioavailability of glucocorticoids.

Quantification in vivo of the effects of different types of dietary fat on the loci of control involved in hepatic triacylglycerol secretion

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been suggested to exert their hypotriglyceridaemic effect through several possible mechanisms that would be expected to decrease the rate of hepatic very-low-density-lipoprotein-triacylglycerol secretion. We have quantified the role played in vivo by changes in the pattern of partitioning of (i) acyl-CoA between oxidation and esterification, (ii) diacylglycerol between synthesis of triacylglycerol and of the major phospholipids, and (iii) triacylglycerol between secretion and storage within the liver, in response to two dietary levels of n-6 and n-3 PUFA. In order to achieve this we used the technique of selective labelling of hepatic fatty acids in vivo. Compared with a predominantly saturated fatty acid diet, both n-6 and n-3 PUFA intake resulted in a decrease in the proportion of acyl moieties that were secreted by the liver, through an increased diversion of acyl-CoA towards oxidation and a lower fractional rate of secretion of newly synthesized triacylglycerol. In addition, a diet rich in n-3 fatty acids resulted not only in a greater magnitude of these effects but also in a doubling of the partitioning of diacylglycerol towards phospholipid labelling. It is shown that the overall 50% reduction achieved by fish oil feeding in the proportion of acyl groups that were secreted by the liver was distributed over all three branch points. The contribution of each of these adaptations was quantified. The application of such an approach, i.e. the localization and in vivo quantification of the importance of loci of control, in studies on dietary and pharmacological agents that affect lipaemia, is discussed.

Corn oil and beef tallow elicit different postprandial responses in triglycerides and cholesterol, but similar changes in constituents of high-density lipoprotein

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to compare, in a homogeneous, normolipidemic population, the postprandial responses of plasma lipids, in particular, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) constituents, after administration of a polyunsaturated fat and a more saturated fat.

METHODOLOGY

Emulsions of 100 g corn oil (CO) and 100 g beef tallow (BT) were given in a crossover protocol to 12 male subjects (21-24 years). Plasma cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and HDL lipid and protein constituents were measured at 0, 2, 4, 7 and 10 hours.

RESULTS

A postprandial increase in TG at 2 hours after CO ingestion (96%) was twice that with BT (48%); TG returned to near fasting levels at 10 hours after ingestion of either fat. Areas under the TG response curves for CO and BT were 6.29 +/- 1.67 and 1.75 +/- 0.60 mmol x hour/L (mean +/- SE), respectively. TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were unchanged at 10 hours after CO ingestion, but they were increased 8.1% and 9.3%, respectively, with BT. Both fats increased HDL TG at 2-4 hours, and both similarly increased HDL free cholesterol, cholesterol ester, phospholipid, apolipoproteins A-I and A-II, and lipoprotein (A-I) levels at 7-10 hours. Changes in HDL were predominantly in HDL3.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in LDL-C with BT at 10 hours suggests that levels may be abnormally elevated in "fasting" samples, dependent on the amount and type of fat in a prior meal. The increase in LDL-C is consistent with short-term regulation of hepatic LDL-receptor activity and/or LDL synthesis. Similar increases in HDL constituents at 7-10 hours after CO or BT, despite the difference in TG responses, suggests differences in the metabolism of chylomicrons and/or HDL due to the type of fat ingested.

Dietary fat and adipose tissue metabolism in ruminants, pigs, and rodents: a review

Effects of dietary fat on dairy cows are reviewed. Dietary fat did not affect gain in BW or body condition score after peak lactation but tended to increase BW loss during early lactation and body fat deposition in growing cattle. Dietary fat decreased de novo fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue. Basal FFA release from adipose tissue in vitro and beta-adrenergic lipolytic responses were increased by protected polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dietary fat increased body fat in growing pigs and decreased BW loss in lactating sows. Dietary fat decreased de novo fatty acid synthesis and basal glycerol release in adipose tissue and tended to increase simultaneously beta-adrenergic lipolytic responses to increased membrane fluidity. Dietary fat increased body fat in rats. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were sometimes less efficient than saturated ones in increasing body fat. Lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue generally decreased. Hepatic fatty acid synthesis was decreased sharply by polyunsaturated fatty acids, and adipose tissue response was less important. beta-Adrenergic-stimulated lipolysis decreased, and fatty acid esterification increased, particularly from saturated fatty acids. A trend toward insulin resistance, which was more marked with saturated fatty acids, occurred in adipose tissue.

Pretranslational regulation of the expression of the lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34) gene by dietary fatty acids in the rat

Although there have been a number of studies of effects of diet and hormones on lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34; LPL) activity and levels of LPL mRNA (Raynolds et al. 1990), there have been no studies which have investigated effects of different dietary fatty acids on LPL gene expression. In the present study male Wistar Albino rats were pair-fed diets containing 50 g fat/kg of different fatty acid composition for 2 weeks. The diets fed were (1) a mixed oil (450 g saturated fatty acids, 420 g monounsaturated fatty acids, 130 g polyunsaturated fatty acids/kg; n 8), (2) maize oil (n 8), or (3) fish oil (n 8). Animals were killed, RNA was extracted from liver and perirenal and epididymal fat pads, and analysed by 'Northern methodology'. Samples were hybridized to a human cDNA probe for LPL (Gotoda et al. 1989). Two transcripts were identified in epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue which were approximately 3.7 and 1.7 kb in size. The results suggested that (1) fish oil-fed animals had significantly greater production of LPL mRNA in epididymal adipose tissue compared with maize oil-fed animals (P < 0.05), (2) maize oil-fed animals had significantly greater production of LPL mRNA in perirenal fat compared with the other dietary groups (P < 0.05), (3) expression in the liver was not significant. Rats fed on a fish oil diet had significantly reduced plasma triacylglycerol concentrations compared with the mixed-oil group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol. The differences in LPL could not be explained directly by the changes in plasma immunoreactive-insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide levels in the three groups.