Influence of native and randomized peanut oil on lipid metabolism and aortic sudanophilia in the vervet monkey

Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids with behenic acid at the sn-1, 3 positions of triacylglycerols

A long chain saturated fatty acid (SFA), behenic acid, is incorporated into the sn-1, 3 positions of triacylglycerols in palm olein (POo) and high-oleic sunflower oil (HOS) by solvent-free interesterification catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM. The enzymatic interesterified HOS (EIE-HOS) yielded 76.5% of BOO and BOB as compared to 45.6% in POo (EIE-POo). The sn-2 position of EIE-HOS displayed 5.3 mol% of SFA which is significantly lower compared to 13.5 mol% in EIE-POo (P < 0.001). The sn-1, 3 positions of EIE-POo exhibited greater amount of behenic acid (82.0 mol%) in relation to EIE-HOS (64.0 mol%) (P < 0.001). Due to the greater variety of constitutive triacylglycerol, EIE-POo showed greater differences between onset (To) and offset temperature (Tf) in the melting endotherms (76.99 °C) as compared to EIE-HOS (68.65 °C), and may offer more intensive cooling sensation and flavor release.

Enhanced hypocholesterolemic effects of interesterified oils are mediated by upregulating LDL receptor and cholesterol 7-α- hydroxylase gene expression in rats

The concentration of LDL cholesterol in plasma is strongly influenced by the amount and type of lipid in the diet. Our studies have shown that positional changes in the fatty acids in blended oil introduced using lipase-catalyzed interesterification differentially modulate circulating LDL levels in rats compared with those observed in rats given a physical blend of oils. To investigate the molecular basis of these differences, transcriptional profiling of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis was studied after feeding rats with a semipurified diet containing 10% fat from native oils; coconut oil (CNO), rice bran oil (RBO), or sesame oil (SESO); blended (B); CNO+RBO(B) or CNO+SESO(B) and interesterified oil (I); CNO+RBO(I) or CNO+SESO(I) for 60 d. Hepatic LDL receptor (LDL-R) expression significantly increased in rats fed interesterified oils by 100-200% compared with rats fed blended oils and by 400-500% compared with rats fed CNO. Positional alteration in fatty acids of oils used in the diet induced changes in LDL-R expression, which was accompanied by parallel changes in cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and SREBP-2 genes. This suggested that not only the fatty acid type but also its position in the TG of dietary lipids play an important role in maintaining plasma cholesterol levels by suitably modulating gene expression for LDL-R in rat liver.

Effects of stereospecific positioning of fatty acids in triacylglycerol structures in native and randomized fats: a review of their nutritional implications

Most studies on lipid lowering diets have focused on the total content of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. However, the distribution of these fatty acids on the triacylglycerol (TAG) molecule and the molecular TAG species generated by this stereospecificity are characteristic for various native dietary TAGs. Fat randomization or interesterification is a process involving the positional redistribution of fatty acids, which leads to the generation of new TAG molecular species. A comparison between native and randomized TAGs is the subject of this review with regards to the role of stereospecificity of fatty acids in metabolic processing and effects on fasting lipids and postprandial lipemia. The positioning of unsaturated versus saturated fatty acids in the sn-2 position of TAGs indicate differences in early metabolic processing and postprandial clearance, which may explain modulatory effects on atherogenecity and thrombogenecity. Both human and animal studies are discussed with implications for human health.

Nutritional evaluation of structured lipid containing omega 6 fatty acid synthesized from coconut oil in rats

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain fatty acids, but deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Structured lipids (SL) enriched with omega 6 PUFA were synthesized from coconut oil triglycerides by employing enzymatic acidolysis with free fatty acids obtained from safflower oil. Rats were fed a diet containing coconut oil, coconut oil-safflower oil blend (1:0.7 w/ w) or structured lipid at 10% levels for a period of 60 days. The SL lowered serum cholesterol levels by 10.3 and 10.5% respectively in comparison with those fed coconut oil and blended oil. Similarly the liver cholesterol levels were also decreased by 35.9 and 26.6% respectively in animals fed structured lipids when compared to those fed on coconut oil or the blended oil. Most of the decrease observed in serum cholesterol levels of animals fed structured lipids was found in LDL fraction. The triglyceride levels in serum showed a decrease by 17.5 and 17.4% while in the liver it was reduced by 45.8 and 23.5% in the structured lipids fed animals as compared to those fed coconut oil or blended oil respectively. Differential scanning calorimetric studies indicated that structured lipids had lower melting points and solid fat content when compared to coconut oil or blended oils. These studies indicated that enrichment of coconut oil triglycerides with omega 6 fatty acids lowers its solid fat content. The omega 6 PUFA enriched structured lipids also exhibited hypolipidemic activity.

Effect of peanut oil and randomized peanut oil on cholesterol and oleic acid absorption, transport, and distribution in the lymph of the rat

Peanut oil was shown to be atherogenic in cholesterol-fed rats, rabbits, and monkeys. However, after randomization, a process in which the fatty acids in peanut oil are randomly rearranged, its atherogenicity was significantly reduced in cholesterol-fed rabbits and monkeys. The mechanism for this effect remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate whether the absorption, transport and distribution of dietary cholesterol and oleic acid in the lymph were altered in the presence of peanut oil or randomized peanut oil. Previous investigators collected lymph through the mesenteric duct for 6 h and analyzed lymph for cholesterol. In the present study, lymph fluids were collected at timed intervals for up to 8 h and then at 24 h via the thoracic duct. Cholesterol and oleic acid (fatty acid) were estimated not only in the whole lymph but also in lymph lipoprotein fractions and in major lipid fractions. A 24-h lymph collection will enhance accuracy as short-term fluctuations in lipid absorption will not affect the results. Thoracic duct lymph collection is quantitative compared to mesenteric duct lymph collection, which provides only a fraction of the total lymph. Rats were given a lipid emulsion containing either peanut oil or randomized peanut oil. The emulsion also contained cholesterol, oleic acid, and sodium taurocholate in saline and was given through a duodenal catheter. Results show that absorption, transport, and distribution of cholesterol and oleic acid in the lymph fluids were similar in both dietary groups. These results suggest that the atherogenicity of peanut oil may be due to other events taking place subsequent to the release of cholesterol-containing chylomicrons and very low density lipoprotein by the small intestinal epithelial cells into the blood or may be due to the triglyceride structure itself.

Lectin may contribute to the atherogenicity of peanut oil

Peanut oil is unexpectedly atherogenic for rats, rabbits, and primates. The lesions it produces are more fibrous than fatty. The mechanism underlying the atherogenicity of peanut oil has been elusive. Randomization of peanut oil reduces significantly its atherogenic properties, but native and randomized peanut oils have similar rates of lipolysis, and rats fed the two oils absorb and transport lipids in a similar fashion. Peanut oil differs from other oils in having a relatively high lectin content, and the randomization process markedly reduces the lectin content as well. The biologically active lectin of peanut oil has an affinity for glycoproteins found specifically on arterial smooth muscle cells. Peanut lectin has been shown to stimulate growth of smooth muscle and pulmonary arterial cells. Vigorous washing of peanut oil reduces its lectin content by 46%. Compared to rabbits fed cholesterol and peanut oil, rabbits fed cholesterol and washed peanut oil exhibited less severe atherosclerosis in the aortic arch (by 9%) and in the thoracic aorta (by 31%). The data suggest that peanut oils' endogenous lectin may contribute significantly to its atherogenic properties.

Effect of policosanol on lipofundin-induced atherosclerotic lesions in rats

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols isolated from sugar cane wax, showing cholesterol-lowering effects and preventing the development of lipofundin-induced lesions in New Zealand rabbits. This study was conducted to determine whether policosanol orally administered to rats also protects against the development of lipofundin-induced atherosclerotic lesions. Fifty four male Wistar rats were randomly distributed amongst a negative control group, a positive control group intravenously injected with lipofundin for eight days, and four experimental groups also injected with lipofundin, but orally receiving policosanol at 0.5, 2.5, 5 and 25 mg kg-1, respectively. Policosanol treatment was orally administered once-a-day for eight days, while control groups similarly received equivalent amounts of vehicle. A significant reduction of the atherosclerotic lesions in the treated animals was observed. It is concluded that policosanol has a protective effect on lipofundin-induced aortic lesions in Wistar rats.

Low density lipoprotein kinetics in African Green monkeys showing variable cholesterolaemic responses to diets realistic for westernised people

African Green (vervet) monkeys were fed either an atherogenic Western diet (WD), a prudent diet (PD), or a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) for various lengths of time. Monkeys differed greatly in their response to the WD, and a strong negative correlation was observed between the fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and the total plasma cholesterol concentrations (r = -0.83 P = 0.0029). Similarly the individual synthetic rates (SR) of LDL plotted against the total plasma cholesterol concentrations showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.94 P = 0.01 for WD animals. There was no correlation for PD or HCD animals for either SR or FCR and the total plasma cholesterol concentrations. The aortic lesion scores correlated with the SRs (r = 0.66 P = 0.040) but not with the FCRs. LDL turnover was also studied using 125I-labelled native LDL and methylated 131I-labelled LDL in African Green monkeys showing high or low cholesterolaemic response to an atherogenic Western diet. Measurements after 4 weeks and again after 6 months on the diet showed a decrease in both total and non-receptor mediated clearance of LDL. Receptor-mediated catabolism was significantly lowered in the hyperresponding group (P = 0.0011) and not in the hyporesponding group with a resultant significant difference between the two groups being P = 0.0355 after 6 months. Non-receptor mediated catabolism of LDL was similarly affected in that there was no significant difference between the two groups at 4 weeks but the clearance of methylated LDL was markedly lowered at 6 months, for the hyporesponding group P = 0.0003 and for the hyperresponding group P = 0.0184. Furthermore the hyperresponding group was depressed to a significantly greater extent when compared to the hyporesponding group (P = 0.0241).

Seasonal variation of serum lipids in the vervet monkey

Seasonal variation of serum lipids has been observed in man, primates and other species. We are presenting data on serum lipid variation in Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). The monkeys (54 males, 33 females) were fed control diets (commercial pellets, fruit, vegetables) and data were pooled and grouped by season. Data having been obtained in South Africa, the seasons were: summer (December, January, February); fall (March, April, May); winter (June, July, August); and spring (September, October, November). Data presented are based on multiple samplings. Total serum cholesterol (mg/dl) and beta-lipoprotein cholesterol (mg/dl) varied significantly with season, peak values being observed in the fall months. Triglyceride and alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol levels showed seasonal variation which was not statistically significant. However, when data were analyzed by weight group (less than 3.3 kg; 3.3-4.3 kg; 4.4-5.3 kg; greater than 5.4 kg) only triglyceride and alpha-lipoprotein levels varied significantly with season. Significant interactions between diet, sex, weight, and season have also been observed. These observations can be used in planning future studies.

Isolation and quantitation of lectins from vegetable oils

The factor(s) responsible for the unexplained atherogenicity of peanut oil remain to be elucidated. To this end, we developed a technique to determine if lectin was present in the oil and to quantitate its concentration. This technique was applied to other vegetable oils including corn, soybean, and sunflower. Crude, unprocessed corn and soybean oils were also analyzed for lectin content. The crude oils contained from 858 to 2983 micrograms lectin per kg, while the refined oils contained 24 to 55 micrograms/kg of biologically active lectin. The identities of the isolated lectins were confirmed by electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The biological significance of the presence of lectin in these oils remains to be determined.

Diets realistic for westernized people significantly effect lipoproteins, calcium, zinc, vitamins C, E, B6 and haematology in vervet monkeys

This report describes measurements of 50 variables in adult, female, reproductively inactive Vervet monkeys during prolonged nutrition realistic for westernized people. Dietary treatments consisted of an atherogenic Western diet (WD) and a prudent Western diet (PD). Ingredients were normal foods for man and no extra cholesterol was added. Fortification of both diets with vitamin C after cooking was necessary to prevent deficiency. Randomised groups of Vervet monkeys received either the PD or WD for 47 months, while a third group was fed WD for 20 months and then PD for 27 months (WD-PD). Before the dietary treatments nourishment was by a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) and baseline and reference values (RV) apply to this nutritional status. Plasma total cholesterol (mg/dl) was increased from 147 (HCD) to 174 (PD) and 376 (WD). Individual cholesterolaemio response ranged from mild to severe and was stable (PD and WD). Dietary reversal (WD-PD) reduced cholesterolaemia promptly. Statistically significant increases in calcium, zinc and vitamin E and decreased vitamin B6 were associated with the WD relative to the PD (in serum and plasma). Two cholesterol metabolising microsomal enzymes in liver were notably increased and one unchanged (WD). There were no dietary effects on triglycerides, vitamin A and glucose in plasma; insulin, glucagon, electrolytes, copper, magnesium or enzymes reflecting liver, muscle or brain cell damage in serum. Red blood cells, platelets and directly associated parameters increased (WD), haemoglobin was the same and haemoglobin per red cell decreased. Bleeding time was not affected. Bivariate correlations across the diets confirmed that Western nutrition promoted inherent individual susceptibility to cholesterolaemia. There were notable differences from RVs in total cholesterol, calcium, packed cell volume and haemoglobin, which emphasise excesses and deficiencies of the WD and PD.

Peanut oil reduces diet-induced atherosclerosis in cynomolgus monkeys

The atherogenicity of dietary peanut oil (PO) was examined in cynomolgus monkeys fed semipurified diets for 15 months. Four groups of six monkeys were fed diets containing 0.22 mg/kcal (0.1%) cholesterol and 0%, 5%, 10%, or 20% PO. An additional group was fed 2.0% cholesterol and 20% PO to serve as a literature control. Increasing the concentration of PO in the diet was associated with significant decreases in total plasma cholesterol (p less than 0.05) and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio (p less than 0.05) and an increase in the terminal HDL cholesterol concentration (p less than 0.05). Intimal thickness and composition were determined from cross sections of the thoracic aorta and the iliac and coronary arteries. Increasing dietary PO was associated with decreases in thickness (p less than 0.005), lipid (p less than 0.001), and smooth muscle cells (p less than 0.005) in the aortic intima. Aortic intimal lipid was positively correlated with the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol (r2 = 0.78, p less than 0.05). Monkeys fed 2.0% cholesterol and 20% PO revealed extensive atherosclerosis in all three arterial sites compared with those of any other group. Whereas the dietary fat effect was most demonstrable in the aorta, dietary cholesterol had a greater effect on the iliac and coronary arteries than it did on the aorta. Under these circumstances, dietary PO was not atherogenic in cynomolgus monkeys when fed with a concentration of cholesterol equivalent to that consumed by humans.

Nonhuman primate models of atherosclerosis: potential for the study of diabetes mellitus and hyperinsulinemia

Nonhuman primates have been used for many years to investigate the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis. The use of these animal models has resulted in a better understanding of the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Nonhuman primates that have consumed an atherogenic diet for several years develop lesions that are comparable to those found in human beings. Diabetes, both spontaneous and chemically induced, has been described in a number of nonhuman primate species. These diabetic models may be used to understand the accelerated progression and vascular complications of atherosclerosis in diabetic human beings.

Lipoprotein lipase-mediated sequestration of long-chain polyunsaturated triacylglycerols in serum LDL from normal and hypothyroid rats

Rat serum VLDL, unlike human, contains significant proportions of triacylglycerols with polyunsaturated C20 and C22 fatty acids. Hypothyroidism in this species is characterized by low levels of serum VLDL, the accumulation of LDL, elevated levels of lipoprotein lipase and depressed hepatic lipase activity. The hypothyroid rat thus represents an interesting model in which to study hepatic VLDL metabolism and the substrate specificity of lipoprotein lipase. This report shows that serum IDL and LDL in both euthyroid and hypothyroid rats contain progressively enhanced proportions of triacylglycerols with polyunsaturated C20 and C22 fatty acids when compared to VLDL. Hypothyroidism resulted in a decrease in the proportion of 22:6 fatty acid within the serum VLDL triacylglycerols when compared to euthyroid VLDL. Lipolysis of VLDL from euthyroid rats in vitro using the perfused rat heart system resulted in increases or sequestration of triacylglycerols containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids within the IDL fraction similar to those seen in vivo. It is concluded that lipoprotein lipase-mediated hydrolysis of VLDL triacylglycerols and the conversion of VLDL to IDL and LDL in the rat results in a progressive sequestration of the longer-chain polyunsaturated triacylglycerol molecular species with the IDL and LDL.

Effect of trans-unsaturated fats on experimental atherosclerosis in vervet monkeys

Vervet monkeys ( Ceropithecus aethiops pygerethrus ) were placed on semipurified diets containing 14% fat of which 3.2 or 6.0% was present as trans-unsaturated fatty acid (t-FA). Two groups were fed the high and low levels of t-FA for a year and two others were fed t-FA for 6 months and then returned to the control diet for 6 months more. One other group was fed the control diet for a year. The control diet contained 14% fat which was a mixture of 72% olive oil and 28% corn oil. There were no significant differences in weight gain. Monkeys fed 6% t-FA or control diets for one year had lowest liver weights. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in monkeys fed 3.2% t-FA for one year were 134 and 55 mg/dl, respectively; in monkeys returned to control diet after 6 months on 6% t-FA the values were 146 and 50 g/dl. Serum and triglyceride levels for the other 3 groups were 166 +/- 2 and 70 +/- 2 mg/dl. Liver cholesterol levels ranged from 4.0 mg/g (3.2% t-FA) to 4.7 mg/g (control) and 4.8 mg/g (6% t-FA). Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was 59.0 microM/h for controls and ranged from 52.4 microM/h (3.2% t-FA) to 73.4 microM/h (6% t-FA). Cholesterol synthesis by liver slices was not affected by diet when the substrate was acetate. When mevalonate was used, the monkeys fed either level of t-FA for 12 months exhibited greatly reduced (about 80%) cholesterogenesis. The levels of t-FA in serum and liver reflected the amount in the diet. After being returned to control diet levels of t-FA in serum and liver of monkeys (fed 3.2% t-FA) fell by 97 and 94%, respectively, and those in serum and liver of monkeys fed 6% t-FA fell by 65 and 91%. There were no significant differences in aortic atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The absorption and transport of dietary cholesterol in the presence of peanut oil or randomized peanut oil

Peanut oil has been shown to be unexpectedly atherogenic for cholesterol-fed rats, rabbits and rhesus monkeys. However, randomization (rearrangement of fatty acids to random distribution) of peanut oil significantly reduced its atherogenicity for rabbits and monkeys. This study was conducted to investigate whether the absorption and transport of dietary cholesterol was altered in the presence of peanut oil or randomized peanut oil, thereby accounting for the difference in the atherogenicity of the two diets. Intestinal lymph fistula rats were infused intraduodenally with a lipid emulsion at a rate of 3 ml/hr. The lipid emulsion contained either peanut oil (control) or randomized peanut oil (experimental) (10 mM), 14C-cholesterol (1.3 mM) and sodium taurocholate (19 mM) in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 6.4. Lymph triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid outputs were similar in both groups of rats during fasting and subsequently during lipid infusion. Comparable recovery of 14C-cholesterol from the intestinal lumen and the intestinal mucosa of the control and the experimental rats showed that the absorption and transport of dietary cholesterol were similar in both groups of rats. Analyses of the fatty acid of both lymph and intestinal mucosal lipid again failed to reveal a difference between the 2 groups of rats. It is concluded that the difference in the atherogenicity between the peanut oil and the randomized peanut oil is probably caused by events subsequent to the release of cholesterol containing chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins by the small intestinal epithelial cells.