EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETARY FATS AND OF CHOLINE ON HEPATIC AND SERUM LIPIDS OF RATS

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Abstract
The effects in young male rats of 10 edible oils and fats on total hepatic lipids and serum cholesterol have been compared in the presence of various amounts of dietary choline. The fats were incorporated at the 20% level in a basal hypolipotropic diet (15% protein) free from cholesterol. The diets were fed for 3 weeks. Food intake and efficiency of conversion of food to body tissue were similar with the different fats when choline was adequate; diets containing corn oil were possibly slightly less efficient. The fat-free basal ration caused heavy mortality from hemorrhagic kidney lesions. The survival rate was improved by all fats except Primex or beef fat. Coconut oil gave complete protection against renal damage.There was a negligible difference in the tendency for different fats to cause deposition of total hepatic lipids, although sunflower seed oil produced less accumulation at lower dosages of choline than did the others. The fats did differ in the extent to which they promoted deposition of cholesteryl esters.No significant differences were found in the total cholesterol of serum of rats fed the different fats. The decrease in serum cholesterol that occurs in the absence of dietary choline does not appear to be influenced by the nature of the dietary fat.