A Study of the Hypocholesterolemic Activity of the Ethyl Esters of the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids of Cod Liver Oil in the Rat

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Abstract
The ethyl esters of the polyunsaturated fatty acids of cod liver oil reduced the hypercholesterolemia produced in rats fed diets supplemented with a coconut oil, cholesterol, and sodium taurocholate. As little as 0.1% ethyl ester added to the diet caused a reduction of blood cholesterol concentration in the hypercholesterolemic rat. The hypocholesterolemic activity of the polyunsaturated fatty esters was sustained after withdrawal of the fatty esters from the ration. Long-term feeding of the polyunsaturated fatty esters resulted in a consistent lower blood cholesterol through the duration of a 154-day feeding experiment. Control animals fed the hypercholesterolemic diet attained high blood cholesterol values which declined after 7 weeks; however, their blood cholesterol level never reached the lower value of the polyunsaturated fatty ester supplemented rats. Subcutaneous administration of the polyunsaturated fatty esters also caused a reduction in the blood cholesterol of hypercholesterolemic rats. It is suggested that the polyunsaturated fatty acids function through different mechanisms in reducing blood cholesterol levels in the rat and chicken.