Effects of latitude and weather conditions on contents of sugars, fruit acids, and ascorbic acid in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice

The genetic background determined the composition of black currants and the compositional response to weather conditions. The variety Melalahti had higher values for glucose and sugar/acid ratio and lower contents of fructose, citric acid, quinic acid, and vitamin C than the varieties Mortti and Ola (p<0.05). In comparison to black currants grown in northern Finland (latitude 66 degrees 34' N), the berries grown in southern Finland (latitude 60 degrees 23' N) had higher contents of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and citric acid (by 8.8, 6.1, 10.0, and 11.7%, respectively) and lower contents of malic acid, quinic acid, and vitamin C (by 31.1, 23.9, and 12.6%) (p<0.05). Fructose, glucose, and citric acid in Melalahti were not influenced by the weather, whereas their concentrations in Mortti and Ola correlated positively with the average temperature in February (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.53-0.79, p<0.01) and July (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.63-0.87, p<0.01) and negatively with the percentage of the days with a relative humidity of 10-30% from the start of the growth season until the day of harvest (Pearson's correlation coefficients = from -0.47 to -0.76, p<0.01). Positive correlations existed between fructose and glucose (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.95-0.96, p<0.01), citric acid and fructose (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.57-0.75, p<0.01), as well as between citric acid and glucose (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.56-0.70, p<0.01) in the three varieties because of the closely related metabolic pathways.

Effects of latitude and weather conditions on contents of sugars, fruit acids, and ascorbic acid in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice

The genetic background determined the composition of black currants and the compositional response to weather conditions. The variety Melalahti had higher values for glucose and sugar/acid ratio and lower contents of fructose, citric acid, quinic acid, and vitamin C than the varieties Mortti and Ola (p<0.05). In comparison to black currants grown in northern Finland (latitude 66 degrees 34' N), the berries grown in southern Finland (latitude 60 degrees 23' N) had higher contents of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and citric acid (by 8.8, 6.1, 10.0, and 11.7%, respectively) and lower contents of malic acid, quinic acid, and vitamin C (by 31.1, 23.9, and 12.6%) (p<0.05). Fructose, glucose, and citric acid in Melalahti were not influenced by the weather, whereas their concentrations in Mortti and Ola correlated positively with the average temperature in February (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.53-0.79, p<0.01) and July (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.63-0.87, p<0.01) and negatively with the percentage of the days with a relative humidity of 10-30% from the start of the growth season until the day of harvest (Pearson's correlation coefficients = from -0.47 to -0.76, p<0.01). Positive correlations existed between fructose and glucose (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.95-0.96, p<0.01), citric acid and fructose (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.57-0.75, p<0.01), as well as between citric acid and glucose (Pearson's correlation coefficients = 0.56-0.70, p<0.01) in the three varieties because of the closely related metabolic pathways.

Use of lipidomics for analyzing glycerolipid and cholesteryl ester oxidation by gas chromatography, HPLC, and on-line MS

Various analytical techniques have been adopted for the isolation and identification of the oxolipids and for determining their functionality. Gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) has been specifically utilized in analysis of isoprostanes and other low molecular weight oxolipids, although it requires derivatization of the solutes. In contrast, liquid chromatography (LC) in combination with on-line MS has proven to be well suited for analysis of intact oxolipids without (or minimal) derivatization. LC-MS has also been helpful for the identification of lipidomic changes resulting from covalent binding of lipid ester core aldehydes to amino lipids, amino acids, peptides, and proteins. This chapter reviews the use of the above techniques for lipidomic analysis of the autoxidation products of cholesteryl esters and glycerolipids as practiced in the authors' laboratories.

Measurement of surgical stress in anaesthetized children

BACKGROUND

The surgical stress index (SSI), derived from a combination of heart rate (HR) and photoplethysmographic amplitude (PPGA) time series, is a novel method for continuous monitoring of intraoperative stress and has been validated in adults. The applicability of SSI and its constituents to monitoring children has not been previously evaluated.

METHODS

In this controlled trial, 22 anaesthetized patients, aged 4-17 yr, undergoing strabismus surgery were randomized into two groups, Group LL and Group BSS. Patients in Group LL received topical conjunctival anaesthesia with a 1:1 mixture of lidocaine 2% and levobupivacaine 0.75%, and patients in Group BSS received balanced salt solution.

RESULTS

Endotracheal intubation (n=22) increased median (range) SSI from 39.2 (22.6-55.6) to 53.6 (35.8-63.3) (P<0.001), decreased PPGA from 5.62 (2.79-9.69) to 5.27 (2.59-7.54)% (P=0.001), and increased the difference of response entropy (RE) and state entropy (SE) of frontal biopotentials (RE-SE) from 3.1 (0.06-9.1) to 5.7 (0.6-9.4) (P=0.01). Conventional haemodynamic variables also increased, median (range) HR from 72.9 (56.7-113.8) to 84.2 (60.4-124.8) beats min(-1) (P<0.001), and systolic non-invasive arterial pressure (S-NIBP) from 87 (78-143) to 103 (79-125) (P=0.007). When 3 min baseline before surgery was compared with 12 min of surgery, median (range) SSI increased from 43.3 (31.2-58.0) to 49.9 (39.3-57.2) (P=0.042) vs from 46.6 (26.8-57.8) to 52.1 (31.7-60.1) (P=0.024) and PPGA decreased from 6.60 (3.10-8.24) to 5.80 (3.03-7.65)% (P<0.001) vs from 5.51 (3.25-9.84) to 5.06 (3.08-8.99)% (P=0.042), in Groups LL and BSS, respectively, but SSI or other indicators did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SSI, PPGA, HR, NIBP, RE, and RE-SE detect autonomic responses to nociceptive stimuli in anaesthetized children undergoing strabismus surgery.

Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of sea buckthorn berries on the number and duration of common cold (CC) infections. As secondary objectives the effects on digestive and urinary tract infections (DTI, UTI), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were also investigated.

SUBJECTS

A total of 254 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive sea buckthorn or placebo product during the study, which 233 of them completed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the number or duration of CC or DTI between groups (CC: relative risks (sea buckthorn vs placebo) for the number and duration were 1.15 (95% CI 0.90-1.48) and 1.05 (95% CI 0.87-1.27), respectively). In the sea buckthorn group, as compared to the placebo, the serum CRP concentrations decreased significantly (difference in median change -0.059 mg/l, P=0.039). The number of UTI was too small to draw solid conclusions, but the results indicate the subject merits further investigation.

CONCLUSION

Sea buckthorn berries did not prevent CC or DTI. However, a reductive effect on CRP, a marker of inflammation, and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, was detected.

The glycaemic response to rolled oat is not influenced by the fat content

Oat is promoted as a low-glycaemic index food. Our aim was to measure the effect of the fat content of oat in glycaemia and insulinaemia and compare it with the effect of wheat. The study design was a double-blind, randomised cross-over study with four treatment segments. Eight healthy males attended four study sessions in which porridge made from four different raw materials was consumed: rolled oat (O), defatted rolled oat (DO), rolled whole wheat (W) or rolled whole wheat with added oat fat (WF). Available carbohydrate content was analysed enzymatically, and was adjusted to 50 g in each test meal. Fat content per meal was either 6·1 g (O, WF) or approximately 1·9 g (W, DO). Venous plasma glucose, insulin and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. All products caused a rapid increase in glucose with a peak at 30 min, where W and WF were significantly higher than O (0 = 0·006). Also insulin peaked at 30 min (no differences). A 4·2 g difference in fat content between O and DO or W and WF did not result in any significant differences in their glycaemia or insulinaemia. W and O did not differ in their overall glycaemic or insulinaemic responses. The removal of two-thirds of oat fat did not affect the postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentration. The present study shows that neither the glycaemic nor the insulinaemic response to rolled oat is affected by the fat content, and that rolled wheat differed from rolled oat in terms of peak glucose concentration only.

Stearic acid is well absorbed from short- and long-acyl-chain triacylglycerol in an acute test meal

OBJECTIVE

Absorption of stearic acid from natural oils has been shown to be efficient, but it is claimed to be lower from short- and long-acyl-chain triacylyglycerol molecules (Salatrim). The aim was to measure the apparent absorption of stearic acid from Salatrim fat in an acute test meal.

DESIGN

Double-blind crossover study.

SUBJECTS

Ten healthy male volunteers, of whom eight completed the study.

METHODS

The subjects were studied on two occasions after consumption of a single high-fat meal either without (control) or with 30 g of Salatrim. Fecal samples were collected for 96 h after the meal and the fat was extracted for analysis of the content and composition of free and esterified long-chain fatty acids.

RESULTS

Baseline fecal fat was 5.6+/-2.6 g/day increasing to 10.4+/-4.9 g/day after addition of Salatrim (P=0.001). During the whole collection period, the baseline fecal free and esterified fatty acids were 2.6+/-2.3 and 0.8+/-0.7 g, respectively. After Salatrim meal the corresponding figures increased to 5.9+/-3.6 g (P=0.001) and 1.5 (+/-1.2) g (P=0.003), respectively. The total fecal stearic acid after control meal was 0.97+/-0.9 g. Consumption of Salatrim with 16.7+/-0.5 g of stearic acid increased the content to 3.12+/-1.6 g (P<0.001), with apparent absorption of 87%.

CONCLUSIONS

The apparent absorption of stearic acid does not differ from its absorption from natural fats. The status of Salatrim as a low-energy fat substitute needs to be re-evaluated.

SPONSORSHIP

University of Turku.

Quantification of triacylglycerol regioisomers in oils and fat using different mass spectrometric and liquid chromatographic methods

The regioisomers (sn-ABA/sn-AAB) of four triacylglycerols (TAGs), 18:2/18:2/18:1 (LLO), 18:2/18:1/18:1 (LOO), 16:0/18:1/18:1 (POO), and 16:0/16:0/18:1 (PPO), were quantified in lard, rapeseed oil, and sunflower seed oil by three different mass spectrometric methods using liquid chromatography (LC) and two different mass spectrometers. The ionization methods used were positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI), and negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) with ammonia as the reagent gas. The LC/APCI-MS results with two different instrumentation types, LC/ESI-MS/MS and direct inlet ammonia NICI-MS/MS, were compared. The LC/APCI-MS method is based on the preferential formation of diacylglycerol (DAG) fragment ions during ionization by loss of sn-1/3 fatty acids from [M+H]+ ions. Similar formation of the DAG ions from [M+NH4]+ ions by collision-induced dissociation (CID) in the LC/ESI-MS/MS method and the [M-H--RCOOH-100]- ions from [M-H]- ions by CID in the direct inlet ammonia NICI-MS/MS method is observed. These methods were found to be useful and reliable in determining the regioisomeric structure of TAGs. No statistically significant differences were found between the results obtained with these methods. For LLO, LOO, and POO the proportions of sn-ABA isomer calculated from the results from all four methods were in rapeseed oil 7.7 +/- 6.5, 57.9 +/- 3.3, and 4.5 +/- 6.1%, respectively, and in sunflower seed oil 12.2 +/- 6.9, 34.0 +/- 5.2, and 1.4 +/- 2.8%, respectively. The proportions of ABA of POO and PPO in lard were 95.3 +/- 3.2 and 4.9 +/- 5.6%, respectively. This study also proved that the LC/APCI-MS/MS method examined is not applicable in the quantification of TAG regioisomers because the formation of DAG ions is not clearly dependent on the positional distribution of the fatty acids.

Hyperbaric articaine for day-case spinal anaesthesia

BACKGROUND

Articaine and lidocaine are clinically very similar suggesting that articaine could be suitable for day-case spinal anaesthesia. A dose-response study with articaine in ambulatory spinal anaesthesia was therefore performed.

METHODS

In this randomized double-blind study, 90 day-case surgery patients received spinal anaesthesia with 60 mg (A60), 84 mg (A84) or 108 mg (A108) of hyperbaric articaine hydrochloride. Sensory block was tested with pinprick and motor block on a modified Bromage scale. A structured interview was performed on the first and seventh postoperative days.

RESULTS

Sensory block reached the T10 dermatome in a median (range) of 5 (5-10) and was maintained at this level for 70 (35-145), 70 (15-115) and 85 (20-115) min in the A60, A84 and A108 groups, respectively. Six patients in the A108 group, two in the A84 group and one in the A60 group had maximum spread of analgesia to T(1) or higher (NS). Patients in the A108 group needed more medication for hypotension (P=0.018), had more often nausea and vomiting (P=0.027), took oral fluids later (P=0.031) and both sensory block recovery [median (range)] [2.5 (2-4.5) h] (P=0.017) and motor block recovery [2 (1.3-4) h] (P=0.009) were delayed. No patients in the A108 group needed opioid intraoperatively while fentanyl was needed in 5 (17%) and 2 (7%) patients in the A60 and A84 groups, respectively. Discharge criteria were attained in approximately 4.5 h after articaine injection (NS) and no drug-related sequelae were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperbaric articaine 60 and 84 mg resulted in spinal anaesthesia allowing surgery of the lower extremities for about 1 h. Recovery was rapid. Use of 108 mg of articaine is not recommended because of frequent extensive cephalad spread of the block, accompanied by arterial hypotension and nausea.

Secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) berries of different subspecies and harvesting times

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seeds, berries, and berry fractions are often used as sources of bioactive ingredients for health products. The aim of the present study was to analyze lignans in these fractions of sea buckthorn. Secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol in seeds, fruit pulp/peel, and whole berries of sea buckthorn of three subspecies were analyzed by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The total content of the two lignans secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol varied widely from 8 to 139 microg/100 g in fresh berries and from 51 to 319 microg/100 g in dry berries. The content of secoisolariciresinol varied in the range of 34-313 microg/100 g of dry mass in the fruit pulp/peel and 93-355 microg/100 g in dry seeds. The content of matairesinol fell within the range of 3-25 microg/100 g in dry pulp/peel and 1-13 microg/kg in dry seeds. Wild H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis contained a significantly higher total level of secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol in dry seeds, dry berries, and fresh berries compared with wild ssp. rhamnoides (253 vs 135 microg/100 g, P < 0.01, in seeds; 224 vs 153 microg/100 g, P < 0.05, in dry berries; 71 vs 29 g/100 g, P < 0.01, in fresh berries) and the cultivar of ssp. mongolica (253 vs 112 microg/100 g in seeds, 71 vs 9 microg/100 g in fresh berries). Harvesting dates had a significant influence on the content of the two lignans in seeds, fruit pulp/peel, and whole berries. This is the first report of lignans in sea buckthorn.

Absorption of flavonols derived from sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) and their effect on emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) is a rich source of flavonols, especially isorhamnetin. Most prospective cohort studies have indicated some degree of inverse association between flavonoid intake and coronary heart disease. Animal and human studies suggest that sea buckthorn flavonoids may scavenge free radicals, lower blood viscosity, and enhance cardiac function. The effects of flavonol aglycones derived from sea buckthorn on the risk factors of cardiovascular disease as well as their absorption were studied in humans. The flavonols, ingested with oatmeal porridge, did not have a significant effect on the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, C-reactive protein, and homocysteine, on the plasma antioxidant potential, or on the paraoxonase activity. Flavonols at two dosages in oatmeal porridge were rapidly absorbed, and a relatively small amount of sea buckthorn oil added to the porridge seemed to have increased the bioavailability of sea buckthorn flavonols consumed at the higher dose.

Combination of hyperbaric lidocaine and ropivacaine in spinal anaesthesia for day surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Motor function recovers rapidly but the extended duration of sensory block after spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric ropivacaine may delay patients' ambulation after surgery. We tested whether compensating a reduction of the ropivacaine dose with a small dose of lidocaine would be adequate for surgery and shorten recovery from spinal anaesthesia.

METHODS

Fifty-six consecutive outpatients, who were scheduled for lower extremity surgery under spinal anaesthesia, were randomized into two groups to receive either a hyperbaric solution of lidocaine 20 mg and ropivacaine 5 mg (Group LR) or hyperbaric ropivacaine 10 mg (Group R). Sensory block was tested with pinprick and motor block on the Bromage scale at 5-min intervals until 30 min, then at 15-min intervals until 90 min, and thereafter at 30-min intervals until full bilateral recovery. Blinded interviews were performed on the first and seventh postoperative day.

RESULTS

The groups did not differ significantly regarding success of sensory block reaching T10 dermatome on the operative side, 24 (86%) in Group LR and 23 (82%) in Group R, median (range) onset time 5 (5-20) vs. 10 (5-25) min or median duration of T10 sensory block 68 (5-115) vs. 50 (20-115) min, respectively. Two patients in each group required general anaesthesia. Recovery did not differ between the groups, median time of full motor recovery was 75 min in both groups, sensory recovery of S2 2.5 h vs. 2.8 h, first voluntary micturition 4.2 (2.2-6.1) vs. 4.5 (2.4-6.6) h in the LR vs. R Group, respectively. Transient neurological symptoms did not appear.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric lidocaine 20 mg+ropivacaine 5 mg and hyperbaric ropivacaine 10 mg was quite similar regarding frequency, onset, duration of T10 dermatome sensory block and recovery. The patients would have been ready for discharge after voluntary micturition, 4.2-4.5 h from the subarachnoid injection of local anaesthetics.

Analysis of triacylglycerols of seeds and berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) of different origins by mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry

TAG of seeds, berries, and fruit pulp/peel of different subspecies of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) were analyzed by MS and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The seeds contained mainly TAG with acyl carbon number (ACN) of 52 with 2-6 double bonds (DB) (20-30%), and TAG of ACN 54 with 3-9 DB (70-80%). In the pulp/peel fraction, the major TAG were species with ACN:DB of 48:1 to 48:3 (19-49%), 50:1 to 50:4 (31-41%), and 52:1 to 52:6 (9-19%). The molecular weight species of whole berries largely resembled those of fruit pulp/peel with additional species of ACN 54 from the seeds (5-24%). Subspecies (ssp.) sinensis differed from ssp. mongolica and rhamnoides by having a higher proportion of TAG of ACN 52 (27% vs. 21% and 22%, P< 0.05) and a lower proportion of ACN 54 (71% vs. 79% and 78%, P < 0.01) in seed TAG. Seed TAG of ssp. mongolica contained a higher proportion of more unsaturated species compared with those of the two other subspecies. Berry TAG of ssp. mongolica had the highest proportion of molecular species of ACN 48 due to the higher proportion of palmitic and palmitoleic acids and the lower seed content of the berries. Overall, palmitic acid favored the sn-1 and sn-3 positions. The order of preference of unsaturated FA for the sn-2 position depended at least partially on the FA combination of TAG. Seed TAG of ssp. mongolica contained a higher proportion of alpha-linolenic acid in the sn-2 position than those of ssp. sinensis. In berry TAG, ssp. mongolica had the highest proportions of palmitoleic and linoleic acids in the sn-2 position, and the lowest proportion of oleic/cis-vaccenic acid in the sn-2 position, among the three subspecies.

Cutin composition of five finnish berries

The raw cutin (i.e., extractive-free isolated cuticular membrane) fraction from Finnish berries, sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides), black currant (Ribes nigrum), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), was depolymerized by NaOMe-catalyzed methanolysis. The composition of cutin monomers was determined by GC-(EI)MS analysis either as methyl esters or as TMSi esters, with OH groups derivatized to TMSi ethers. There was a notable difference in the degree of depolymerization, ranging from 6 to 47%. The extractive-free berry cuticle, that is, raw cutin, thus contains <50% polyester polymer cutin. The predominant cutin monomers were C(16) and C(18) omega-hydroxy acids with midchain functionalities, mainly epoxy and hydroxyl groups. Typically, the major compounds were 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid, 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid, 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadec-12-enoic acid, and 18-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid. The amount of epoxyacids was rather high in sea buckthorn ( approximately 70%) and cranberry ( approximately 60%), compared with the other berries. The black currant cutin differed from that of the other berries with a significant portion of hydroxyoxohexadecanoic acid ( approximately 12% of total monomers). This investigation of the cuticular hydroxy acids of five Finnish berries is part of the exploitation of the northern natural resources related to the chemical composition, nutritional value, and sensory properties.

Advances in ophthalmic regional anaesthesia

Although retrobulbar and peribulbar regional anaesthetic techniques are used (by both anaesthesiologists and ophthalmologists) in various types of eye surgery, topical anaesthesia of the conjunctiva and cornea, followed--as needed--by sub-Tenon's block, is now common in routine cataract surgery. Intracameral administration of local anaesthetic by the ophthalmologist is also performed. Sedation during ophthalmic surgery is distinctly lighter than for other surgery because it is essential that the patient remains alert and can cooperate with the surgeon. Continuous insufflation of oxygen-enriched air is needed to ascertain that CO2 has been flushed away. With a catheter placed into the nostril, the patient (whose head is draped and 'hidden') can have the end-tidal CO2 monitored. Finger index (FI), a palpation method that assesses the ease of performing retrobulbar block, is introduced. Because of the risk of life-threatening complications in ophthalmic regional anaesthesia, the services of an anaesthesiologist must be available and training of anaesthesia residents in ophthalmic regional anaesthesia is highly recommended.

Diet and lipoprotein oxidation: analysis of oxidized triacylglycerols in pig lipoproteins

Oxidized lipoproteins have a recognized role in atherogenesis, but molecular-level research on oxidized lipids in lipoproteins and the effect of diet on these molecules have been limited. In the present study, the effects of three sunflower seed oil diets differing in oxidation levels (PV in oils 1, 84, and 223 mequiv O2/kg) on lipoprotein lipid oxidation in growing pigs were investigated. The emphasis was on the investigation of oxidized TAG molecules found in chylomicrons and VLDL. A method based on RP-HPLC and electrospray ionization-MS was used for the analysis of oxidized TAG molecules. The baseline diene conjugation method was used for the estimation of in vivo levels of lipoprotein lipid oxidation. Several oxidized TAG structures were found in the samples. These products consisted of TAG molecules with a hydroxy, an epoxy, or a keto group attached to a FA, and of TAG molecules containing an aldehyde structure derived from a FA. The lipoprotein lipids and TAG were more oxidized in the pigs fed on the most oxidized oil compared with those fed on nonoxidized oil. Oxidation of dietary fat was reflected in the lipoprotein oxidation. New, detailed information on oxidized TAG molecules of chylomicrons and VLDL was obtained.

Triacylglycerol oxidation in pig lipoproteins after a diet rich in oxidized sunflower seed oil

The effects of two sunflower seed oil diets differing in oxidation levels (PV in oils 1 and 190 mequiv O2/kg) on lipoprotein TAG and total lipid oxidation were investigated in growing pigs. For 2 wk, two groups of 10 pigs were fed either of the diets, after which blood samples were collected. A method based on RP-HPLC and electrospray ionization-MS was used for the analysis of oxidized TAG molecules in chylomicrons and VLDL. The baseline diene conjugation method was used for the estimation of in vivo levels of lipoprotein lipid oxidation. TAG molecules with a hydroxy, an epoxy, or a keto group attached to a FA, as well as TAG core aldehydes were detected in the samples. Typically, lipoprotein TAG and total lipids were more oxidized in the pigs fed on the oxidized oil compared with those fed on nonoxidized oil. Oxidation of dietary fat was thus reflected in the lipoprotein oxidation, which confirmed our earlier findings.