Adaption of Sprague Dawley rats to long-term feeding of high fat of high fructose diets

Summary Background Present animal models used to emulate type 2 diabetes may not accurately reflect the metabolic changes that occur in humans. Aims of the study The purpose of this research was to evaluate diets reported to induce insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism in rats as a potentially useful model for studying type 2 diabets. Methods Three groups of male Sprague Dawley rats (n=7) were fed either a control diet, based on AIN recommendations (53% cornstarch, 10% sucrose and 7% soybean oil), a high fat diet (25% soybean oil, 35% cornstarch) or a high fructose diet (53% fructose, 10% sucrose) for a 3 month period. Glucose tolerance tests were carried out in week 3 and week 9 of the experiment. At the termination of the experiment, serum insulin, glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerols were measured. Glucose incorporation into glycogen and glycogen synthase activity were measured in soleus muscles. Results Similar weight gain was observed for all three groups of rats. Glucose tolerance curves and fasting glucose levels were not significantly different at any time point in the experiment. Insulin levels were unchanged for the controls (171±21 pM), high fructose (164±16 pM) and high fat (181±30 pM) diets. Fasting serum triacylglycerols and cholesterol levels were not significantly elevated by dietary treatment. In soleus muscles, rats on all three diets had a significant increase in glycogen synthesis in response to insulin, but synthesis was similar in all three groups. Glycogen synthase activity was also not significantly affected by long-term dietary intervention. Conclusions In this study, healthy Sprague Dawley rats fed high fat or high fructose diets for 3 months adapted to the nutritional intervention without developing classical signs of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. Received: 17 May 2000, Accepted: 31 August 2000     

Protein hydrolysate vs free amino acid-based diets on the nutritional recovery of the starved rat

Summary Background and Aims To test the hypothesis that a peptide-based enteral product was equivalent to a low-fat, free amino acid-based formula in the nutritional and functional recovery of the starved rat. Methods Sixteen male Wistar rats were starved for 3 days. Then, rats were randomised to a whey protein hydrolysate-based diet or a free amino acid-based diet and refed for 3 days. The experiment was designed to provide the same energy intake in both groups. The parameters studied included body weight gain, nitrogen retention, plasma free amino acid concentrations, muscle glutamine concentrations and glutathione levels in gut mucosa and liver. Results Weight gain was statistically higher on the peptide-based diet than on the elemental diet after rhe refeeding period. This difference in weight gain was associated with a statistically higher nitrogen retention. Plasma and muscle free glutamine concentrations were higher in rats fed the whey protein hydrolysate-based diet than those in rat refed the free amino acid-based diet, even though the glutamine intake was higher in the latter group. Glutathione concentrations in liver and gut mucosa were similar in the groups. Conclusion We conclude that enteral diets containing peptides were more effective than a diet containing free amino acids in the nutritional recovery of the starved rat. Received: 17 May 2000, Accepted: 1 September 2000     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid reduces adiposity in lean but not obese Zucker rats

Recent studies have demonstrated a reduction in body fat in growing animals fed conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Two experiments were conducted to extend these observations to obese rats so that the mechanism of the actions of CLA might be more easily elucidated. In experiment 1, male lean and obese Zucker rats were fed diets containing either 0 or 0.5% CLA for 5 wk. There was no effect of diet on growth rate or food intake. Dietary CLA reduced retroperitoneal and inguinal fat pad weights in the lean rats but increased fat pad weights in the obese genotype (diet x genotype interaction; P < 0.05). Determination of fat pad cellularity indicated that these changes in fat pad weight were due to a reduction or increase in average fat cell size for the lean and obese Zucker rats, respectively. In experiment 2, we sought to reproduce these effects on fat pad size, as well as to determine the effect of dietary CLA on the catabolic response to bacterial endotoxin injection in obese Zucker rats. Growing female lean and obese Zucker rats were fed diets containing 0 or 0.5% CLA for 8 wk. On d 28, each rat was injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli serotype 055:B5 (1 mg/kg body weight) and body weight was determined over the next 96 h. There was a diet x genotype interaction (P < 0.05) for the body weight response to lipopolysaccharide 24 h postinjection. Lean rats fed CLA lost less weight than did lean controls, but obese rats fed CLA lost more weight than did obese controls. As in the first experiment, there was a diet x genotype (P < 0.05) for the effect of treatment on retroperitoneal fat pad weights determined at the end of the experiment. Lean rats fed CLA had smaller RP fat pads than did lean controls, but obese rats fed CLA once again had heavier RP fat pads than did obese controls. These results indicate that CLA reduces body fat and catabolic response to endotoxin injection in lean Zucker rats but not in the obese genotype. The observed interaction between diet and genotype warrants additional investigation into the specific mechanism(s) of the biological activities of CLA.     

Protective effect of calcium deficiency on the inflammatory response in magnesium-deficient rats

Summary. Background: Previous studies indicated that dietary Mg-deficiency in rats results in a marked pro-inflammatory effect. Since magnesium (Mg) frequently acts as a natural calcium (Ca) antagonist, the possibility exists that the pro-inflammatory effect of Mg-deficiency may be a consequence of a reduced extracellular Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ antagonism. Aim of the study: Thus, the aim of the study was to assess whether dietary Ca-deficiency improves the abnormal inflammatory response of Mg-deficient rats. Materials and methods: Weaning male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the dietary Mg and Ca as follows: Mg-adequate Ca-adequate (control), Mg-adequate Ca-deficient, Mg-deficient Ca-adequate, Mg-deficient Ca-deficient. Animals were fed the appropriate diets for 8 days. Results: Mg-deficient Ca-adequate rats as compared to controls displayed the usual decrease in plasma Mg, whereas the plasma Ca concentration was unaffected. The classical symptoms of inflammation including hyperemia, increased number of blood leukocytes and increased spleen weight were observed. In addition, these animals also showed an increase in heart lipid peroxidation and in plasma triglyceride concentration. In Mg-deficient rats, Ca-deficiency induced hypocalcemia and offered a significant protection against the pro-inflammatory effect of Mg-deficiency. This was evidenced by lower inflammation scores, prevention of leukocytosis and of spleen enlargement. The protective effects of Ca-deficiency on the inflammatory response in Mg-deficiency was accompanied by significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and by a normalization of plasma triglyceride concentration. Conclusion: All together, the results suggest that Ca is implicated in the inflammatory response of experimental Mg-deficiency and that oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia are the results of the acute phase response following Mg-deficiency in rats. Received: 3 June 2002, Accepted: 14 August 2002 Correspondence to: Y. Rayssiguier     

The hypocholesterolemic effect of lemon peels,lemon pectin,and the waste stream material of lemon peels in hybrid F<Subscript>1</Subscript>B hamsters

Summary Background We found in preliminary studies with hamsters that citrus peels have a cholesterol lowering effect comparable to that of pectin extracted from these peels. Aim of the study We wanted to examine whether the cholesterol lowering effect of the peels could be completely accounted for by the pectin in the peels. Methods We fed cholesterol enriched (0.1 %,w/w) semipurified diets containing 3 % (w/w) of cellulose, lemon peels, lemon pectin, and the waste stream material of the lemon peels to hybrid F₁B hamsters for a period of 8 weeks. The waste stream of the lemon peels is the left over after extraction of the lemon pectin. Results Feeding the semipurified diets resulted in an increase of plasma cholesterol levels in all the dietary groups after 2 and 4 weeks on the diets. Cholesterol concentrations in the cellulose fed hamsters continued to increase after 4 weeks on the diet, whereas cholesterol levels in the other groups had reached a plateau. As a consequence, the plasma cholesterol levels in the hamsters fed the peels (5.59 ± 0.74 mmol/L, mean ± SD, n = 14), pectin (5.19 ± 0.48 mmol/L), or waste stream (5.53 ± 0.94 mmol/L) were lower than those in the hamsters fed cellulose (6.71 ± 1.52 mmol/L) after 8 weeks on the diets. Differences in total plasma cholesterol were reflected in differences in both VLDL and LDL cholesterol concentration, but this effect was more distinct for the VLDL. There was no effect of the type of fiber on HDL cholesterol levels. Liver cholesterol concentrations paralleled the concentrations of plasma cholesterol and the liver cholesterol concentrations in the hamsters fed the peels (3.57 ± 1.01 μmol/g liver, mean ± SD, n = 14), pectin (4.86 ± 1.42), and the waste stream (4.96 ± 1.89) were lower than those in the cellulose group (7.19 ± 2.32). The hamsters fed the peels, pectin, or waste stream tended to have a higher excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols then the cellulose fed hamsters. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that lemon peels and the waste stream of the lemon peels are as effective in lowering plasma and liver cholesterol in hamsters as the pectin extracted from the peels and that also compounds other than pectin are probably responsible for the cholesterol lowering effect of the citrus peels. Received: 20 September 2001, Accepted: 17 December 2001     

Estimation of available energy of dietary fibres by indirect calorimetry in rats

Background Knowledge of energetic availability of dietary fibres is important for human nutrition. But up to now results are often different and depend on the methods used. Estimation of metabolisable energy of dietary fibres (mainly by balance technique) is a time-consuming procedure and needs special technical effort. Aim of the study Validation of the experimental design for short-term studies by using indirect calorimetry with feeding below maintenance requirement to evaluate the energetic availability of dietary fibres and their influence on absorption velocity of carbohydrates (CHO). Methods Energy expenditure and CHO oxidation (including short-chain fatty acids as fermentation products) were estimated in Wistar rats over 23 h after being fed a basal diet for the first day (300 KJ/kg^0.75, 20% protein, 3% fat, 77% CHO) followed by supplementation with either microcrystalline cellulose, the soluble rye fibre arabinoxylan, apple pectin, amylomaize starch (with 48% of resistant starch) or gelatinised wheat starch (200 KJ/kg^0.75 each) as control for the following days. Energetic availability was determined by comparing the increase of CHO oxidation after addition of gelatinised wheat starch with that of the dietary fibres tested. Results In comparison to wheat starch (100%), the following energetic availability of the dietary fibres was found: microcrystalline cellulose 14%, arabinoxylan 33%, pectin 39%, amylomaize starch 62%. The time-course of CHO oxidation indicated that microcrystalline cellulose enhances, whereas the soluble rye fibres slows down the velocity of CHO absorption due to the different contents modified by the kind and properties of the used dietary fibres. After intake of arabinoxylan or pectin, CHO oxidation remained at a higher level during the experimental period elucidating an inreased activity of fermentation to short-chain fatty acids. Conclusions Short-term experiments in rats using indirect calorimetry are a suitable method for comparative estimation of the energetic availability of dietary fibres. Results are partly in agreement with values estimated by long-term in vivo methods. Received: 7 July 2000, Accepted: 12 January 2001     

Chronic vitamin E inadequacy and thermally treated oils affect the synthesis of hepatic metallothionein isoforms

Summary Background: Metallothionein (MT)^# synthesis can be stimulated in many organs not only by various metals such as cadmium, zinc, and copper, but also by many nonmetalic compounds or experimental conditions such as oxidative stress. The latter lead to the hypothesis that MT is induced in response to free radicals formed in tissues and lipid peroxidation. Aims of the study: Whether the relationship between lipid peroxidation amd MT synthesis is a common phenomenon also valid for lipid peroxidation induced by dietary factors such as chronic vitamin E inadequacy and autoxidation products of polyenoic fatty acids derived from thermally oxidized oil was investigated in the presence study. Methods: The relationship between the induction of metallothionein isoforms I and II (MT-I and MT-II) in response to diet-induced lipid peroxidation using a rat model system in which lipid peroxidation was examined in vivo by chronic vitamin E inadequacy or by administration of lipid peroxidation products from a thermally treated polyenoicrich oil with either basal (dietary zinc concentration: 48 mg/kd; experiment 1) or Zn-stimulated MT levels (dietary zinc concentration: 305 mg/kd; experiment 2) was studied. In both experiments, growing male rats were fed diet containing either a fresh or a thermally treated soybean oil with deficient of sufficient amounts of vitamin E (14 and 11 vs. 648 and 560 mg α-tocopherol equivalents per kg diet) over 40 days according to a bifactorial experimental design. Plasma and liver concentrations of tocopherols and hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid-reacitve substances (TBARS) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. MT isoform concentrations in rat liver were isolated and quantified by ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: Irrespective of the zinc supply, rats receiving inadequate amounts of vitamin E with the diet had markedly lower plasma and liver concentrations of α-tocopherol and total tocopherols than vitamin E-sufficient rats. ANOVA also revealed an interaction between the diet factors vitamin E and oil on tocopherols in plasma and liver of rats from both experiments. In experiment 1, where rats received normal amounts of dietary zinc, ingestion of the thermally treated oil impaired the tocopherol status compared to the treatment with the fresh oil, although this effect was only obvious in the vitamin E-deficient groups. In experiment 2, where rats received excessive amounts of zinc, the thermally treated oil did not contribute to a reduction of the tocopherol status in plasma and liver. In both experiments a significant increase in TBARS level, indicative of lipid peroxidation, was observed in the liver at chronic vitamin E inadequacy, but no effect of the oil was observed. Here, we show that the dietary treatment had some effects on the synthesis of liver metallothionein isoforms. In groups, receiving normal amounts of zinc, there was a significant interaction between the dietary treatments on the levels of MT-I and MT-II in liver. Chronic vitamin E inadequacy which was accompanied by diminisched tocopherol levels in liver induced the synthesis of MT-I and MT-II. When vitamin E inadequacy was combined with the ingestion of a thermally treated polyenoic acid-rich oil hepatic levels of MT-I and MT-II remained low. In experiment 2, where rats were fed the high zinc diet, vitamin E inadequacy caused an increase of hepatic MT-I level just as in experiment 1, although this MT stimulating effect was irrespective of the oil. For MT-II there was a 43% increase in the vitamin E-deficient group fed the fresh oil compared to all the other groups, although this effect was not statistically significant. The liver MT isoform response to stress was similar in rats with basal MT levels and Zn-induced liver MT levels. The failing effect of the thermally treated oil on MT levels which were stimulated by vitamin E deficiency in experiment 2 was possibly due to the low oxidation grade of the thermally treated oil. Conclusion: The present results are strongly indicative of an apparent induction of MT isoform synthesis in response to an impaired antioxidant defence system in the lipid regions of liver cells induced by vitamin E inadequacy. In contrast, thermally treated polyenoic-rich oils with a certain oxidation grade seem to restrain the induction of MT isoform synthesis under the present experimental conditions. Received: 10 January 2000, Accepted: 27 April 2000     

Effect of diet on the replenishment of intramyocellular lipids after exercise

Summary Background Muscle triglycerides are important as a source of energy and in relation to metabolic sensitivity. However, the classic biopsy method does not distinguish intra- from extracellular fat, and their regulation by exercise and diet is largely unknown. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is available to assess the intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) pool non-invasively in humans. Aims of the study The aim of this work was to use sequential MRS measurements of IMCL and glycogen to explore the role of three levels of dietary fat on the replenishment of these energy stores after exercise. Methods Following 2h of exercise, two subjects (S1, S2) were fed one of three diets (15%, 40% or 70% fat energy), each on a separate occasion. IMCL and glycogen were measured by MRS in the tibialis anterior muscle before, after exercise, and at 10 and at 32 h of recovery. Results Initial IMCL concentration (mmol · kg⁻¹:3.0 in S1 and 1.8 in S2) was reduced to 70% after exercise. The rate of replenishment was minimal with the low-fat (mmol · kg⁻¹· 24 h⁻¹: 0.7 and 0.0) and much higher with both higher fat diets (mmol · kg⁻¹· 24 h⁻¹: 3.1 and 3.2 in S1, 0.7 and 0.9 in S2). Glycogen and IMCL replenishments were inversely correlated. Conclusions IMCL and glycogen can vary acutely in response to diet after exercise. Studies are needed to determine if such variations occur within the range of ordinary diets and to clarify the functional significance of IMCL in differently active individuals.     

Addition of vitamin E to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diets protects neonatal tissue lipids against peroxidation in rats

Summary Background: Tissue 10:4(n-6) and 22:6(n-3) status have been correlated with neonatal development and growth. Artificial formulas for neonates have been supplemented with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) from animal and marine sources which may enhance sensitivity of cellular membranes to oxidative damage. Diet-derived antioxidants like vitamin E play a key role in the protection of tissue lipids against oxidation. Aim of the study: We seek to determine the influence of dietary vitamin E on tissue sensitivity to oxidative stress in rats fed for 4 weeks on diets enriched in (n-3) and (n-6) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Methods: Weanling rats received 10% fat diets that provided 18:1(n-9), 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3) in a similar ratio to that of rat milk (group A), supplemented with fish oil (groups B and B+E) and supplemented with (n-6) and (n-3) LCP from an animal phospholipid concentrate (groups C and C+E). Vitamin E (500 mg vitamin E/kg fat) was added to diets B+E and C+E. Tissue fatty acid content and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase und glutathione peroxidase in liver and brain were measured. Glutathione status, vitamin E and the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) after incubation of erythrocyte, liver and brain lipids with inducers of enzymatic or non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation was measured. Results: Group B registered significantly lower total superoxide dismutase acitvity than group B+. Catalase activity was significantly higher in group C than in group C+E. Hepatic total and reduced glutathione levels were decreased in vitamin E supplemented groups compared to unsupplemented ones. TBARs production in erythrocyte lipids was significantly higher in groups B and C compared to vitamin E supplemented groups B+E and C+E. Conclusions: This study shows that the addition of vitamin E protected erythrocyte and liver microsome lipids enriched in (n-3) and (n-6) LCP from lipid peroxidation during the postnatal development of rats. The protection was more effectively in group C+E than in group B+E. Received: 14 January 1999, Accepted: 14 June 1999     

Effect of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and inulin on the formation of aberrant crypt foci in rats

Summary Background Our studies were aimed at investigating the effect of lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) or inulin, a natural source of non-digestible oligosaccharides derived from chicory, on the induction by carcinogens of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon, which are considered to be early precursor lesions of neoplasia. Methods Strains of Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus were administered to rats fed a purified high starch diet, under a variety of treatment protocols including daily gavage, via the drinking water and in the diet. The rats were treated with methyl-N-nitrosourea, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, or azoxymethane (AOM) to induce ACF. Results In general, no consistent significant changes in ACF numbers were detected in these experiments. In one study, the basal diet of the rats was changed to one containing a higher level of fat (corn oil). Under these conditions, a significant decrease in AOM-induced colonic ACF was seen in rats given L. acidophilus or inulin. In a concurrent group of animals fed a low fat diet, no significant decrease in ACF was observed. Conclusions The results indicate that the type of diet fed can influence the detection of protective effects of LAB and oligosaccharides and that against the background of a diet with a level of fat typical of a Western diet, evidence for a protective effect of L. acidophilus and inulin towards colon cancer was obtained Received: 26 July 2001, Accepted: 26 November 2001     

Serum leptin concentrations are not related to dietary patterns but are related to sex, age, body mass index, serum triacylglycerol, serum insulin, and plasma glucose in the US population

Background

The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of beef can be increased by supplementing appropriate beef cattle diets with vegetable oil or oil seed. Yet the effect of consumption of such beef on adipose tissue characteristics is unclear, thus the study was conducted to compare adipose tissue responses of rats to diets containing beef from steers either not provided or provided the oil supplements to alter CLA composition of the fat in muscle.

Methods

Effects of feeding synthetic (industrial hydrogenation) CLA or CLA from beef on growth and adipose tissue responses of weanling, male, Wistar rats (n = 56; 14 per treatment diet) were investigated in a completely randomized design experiment. Diets were: control (CON) diet containing casein and soybean oil, synthetic CLA (SCLA) diet; where 1.69% synthetic CLA replaced soybean oil, two beef-diets; CONM and CLAM, containing freeze dried beef from steers either not fed or fed 14% sunflower seeds to increase CLA content of beef. Diets were isonitrogenous (20% protein) and isocaloric. Rat weights and ad libitum intakes were recorded every 2 wk. After 9 wk, rats were fasted for 24 h, blood sampled by heart puncture, sacrificed, tissue and organs were harvested and weights recorded. The adipose tissue responses with regard to cellularity and fatty acid compositions of retroperitoneal and inguinal adipose tissue were determined.

Results

Body weights and gains were comparable, but organ weights as percent of body weight were greater for rats fed SCLA than CONM. Fasting blood glucose concentration was lower (p < 0.01) in rats fed SCLA than those fed CONM or CLAM. Retroperitoneal and inguinal fat weights, as percent of body weight were greater (p < 0.01) in rats fed CONM or CLAM than those fed CON or SCLA diets. Adipocyte numbers were least in retroperitoneal tissue of rats fed SCLA, while inguinal tissue cell density and total number were lower (p = 0.02) in rats fed CLAM (7.26 × 10⁷ cells/g and 8.03 × 10⁸ cells) than those fed CONM (28.88 × 10⁷ cells/g and 32.05 × 10⁸ cells, respectively).

Conclusion

Study suggests that dietary CLA either as synthetic or high CLA-beef may alter adipose tissue characteristics by decreasing the number of adipocytes and by decreasing the size of the tissue.     

DNA stability and genomic methylation status in colonocyte isolated from methyl-donor-deficient rats

Summary Background: Epidemiological studies report an inverse relationship between intake of the B vitamine folic acid and colon cancer. Folate is important for DNA synthesis and repair. Moreover, the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), essential for normal DNA methylation and gene expression, is dependent on folic acid. Folate deficiency may increase the risk of malignant transformation by perturbing these pathways. Aims of the study: The principal aim of this study was to determine the effects of folate deficiency on DNA stability and DNA methylation in rat colonocytes in vivo. As the metabolic pathways of folate and other dietary methyl donors are closely linked, the effects of methionine and choline deficiency were also evaluated. Methods: Male Hooded-Lister rats were fed a diet deficient in folic acid, or in methionine and choline, or in folate, methionne and choline for 10 weeks. DNA strand breakage and misincorporated uracil were determined in isolated colonocytes using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis. Global DNA methylation was measured in colonic scrapings. Folate was measured in plasma, erythrocyte and liver samples. Results: Methyl donor deficiency induced DNA strand breakage in colonocytes isolated from all experimental groups. Uracil levels in colonocytes DNA remained unchanged compared with controls. DNA methylation was unaffected either by folate and/or methionine and choline depletion. Rats fed a folate-deficient diet had less folate in plasma, red blood cells and liver than controls. Conclusions: Folate and methyl deficiency in vivo primarily afects DNA stability in isolated colonocytes of rats, without affecting overall DNA methylation. Received: 16 February 2000, Accepted: 25 April 2000     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acids and lipid source alter fatty acid composition of juvenile yellow perch, Perca flavescens

A study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA; 0, 0.5 or 1.0 g/100 g total CLA) and lipid source (menhaden oil, soybean oil or a 1:1 mixture of menhaden:soybean oil) on growth rates and fatty acid composition of yellow perch. Dietary treatments were fed to apparent satiation to triplicate groups of fish initially weighing 37.9 g/fish. At the end of the 9-wk feeding trial, no significant differences were detected in weight gain or feed intake among fish fed any of the dietary treatments. Dietary CLA, lipid source and/or their interaction significantly affected feed efficiency, total liver lipid concentration, and muscle and liver fatty acid concentrations. Feed efficiency (g gain/g feed) was significantly lower in fish fed diets containing soybean oil (0.51) compared with fish fed menhaden oil (0.58) or menhaden:soybean oil (0.60). Liver total lipid concentrations were significantly reduced in fish fed 0.5 and 1.0 g/100 g CLA compared with fish fed the diets containing no CLA and in fish fed menhaden oil compared with those fed soybean oil or a 1:1 mixture of menhaden:soybean oil. Total CLA levels increased in both liver and muscle as dietary CLA concentration increased, irrespective of lipid source. However, total CLA concentrations were significantly lower in liver and muscle of fish fed soybean oil. Total muscle CLA concentrations were 0, 1.26 and 2.92 g/100 g fatty acids in fish fed diets containing menhaden oil and 0, 0.5 and 1.0 g/100 g CLA, respectively. Mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations were significantly lower in muscle and liver of fish fed CLA compared with fish fed the diets containing no CLA. In contrast, liver concentrations of saturated fatty acids, 14:0, 16:0 and 18:0, were significantly higher in fish fed 1.0 g/100 g CLA.     

Effect of complex polyphenols and tannins from red wine on DNA oxidative damage of rat colon mucosa in vivo

Summary Background: Dietary polyphenols have been reported to have a variety of biological actions, including anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Aim of the study: In the present study we have evaluated the effect of an oral treatment with complex polyphenols and tannins from red wine and tea on DNA oxidative dammage in the rat colon mucosa. Methods: Isolated colonocytes were prepared from the colon mucosa of rats treated for ten days with either wine complex polyphenols (57.2 mg/kg/d) or thearubigin (40 mg/kg/d) by oral gavage. Colonocyte oxidative DNA damage was analysed at the single cell level using a modification of the comet assay technique. Results: These results show that wine complex polyphenols and tannins induce a significant decrease (−62% for pyrimidine and −57% for purine oxidation) in basal DNA oxidative damage in colon mucosal cells without affecting the basal level of single-strand breaks. On the other hand, tea polyphenols, namely a crude extract of thearubigin, did not affect either strand breaks or pyrimidine oxidation in colon mucosal cells. Conclusions Our experiments are the first demonstration that dietary polyphenols can modulate in vivo oxidative damage in the gastrointestinal tract of rodents. These data support the hypothesis that dietary polyphenols might have both a protective and a therapeutic potential in oxidative damage-related pathologies. Received: 17 April 2000, Accepted: 27 July 2000     

Vitamin E reduces lipid peroxidation in experimental hepatotoxicity in rats

Background and aims Lipid peroxidation is believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases and in the process of aging. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E (20 g/kg diet of all-rac-α-tocopheryl succinate for 3 weeks) on both non-enzymatic and enzymatic lipid peroxidation in experimental rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity (2.5 mL/kg body). Methods Plasma, urine and liver samples from control rats (n = 6), CCl₄-treated rats (n = 6), and rats supplemented with vitamin E prior to CCl₄ treatment (n = 8) were collected. Non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation induced by free radicals was investigated by measurement of a major F₂-iso-prostane, 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α (8-iso-PGF_2α). Cyclooxygenase-catalyzed enzymatic lipid peroxidation was measured with a major PGF_2α metabolite, 15-kto-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F_2α (15-K-DH-PGF_2α). Malondialdehyde and antioxidants in plasma were also quantified. Results CCl₄ treatment alone resulted in significantly higher levels of plasma, urinary and liver 8-iso-PGF_2α, and of plasma and urinary 15-K-DH-PGF_2α compared to controls. Rats supplemented with vitamin E prior to CCl₄ treatment had significantly lower levels of urinary and liver 8-iso-PGF_2α, urinary 15-K-DH-PGF_2α, and plasma malondialdehyde than rats treated with CCl₄ alone. However, plasma 8-iso-PGF_2α and plasma 15-K-DH-PGF_2α were not affected by vitamin E supplementation. Conclusion Thus, both non-enzymatic and enzymatic lipid peroxidation during experimental hepatic oxidative injury were suppressed by dietary vitamin E supplementation in rats. Received: 29 May 2000, Accepted: 16 November 2000     

Effects of dietary maritime pine seed oil on lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis development in mice expressing human apolipoprotein B

Summary Background Conifer seeds are used for food preparation in several countries. Aim of the study To assess the lipid-lowering and antiatherogenic properties of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) seed oil. Methods The effects of maritime pine oil supplementation (20 % w/w) for 2 weeks were compared to those of coconut and sunflower oil in mice expressing human apolipoprotein B (hApoB). Atherosclerosis lesion development was measured in hApoB mice fed 1.25 % (w/w) cholesterol and 0.05 % (w/w) sodium cholate and either coconut, sunflower or maritime pine oil (20 % w/w) for 8 weeks. Results After 2 weeks of dietary treatment, plasma cholesterol (p < 0.0001), triglyceride (p < 0.0003), phospholipid (p < 0.0001) and apolipoprotein B (p < 0.0001) levels were lower in mice supplemented with maritime pine oil than in those treated with coconut oil. These effects were accounted for by a lowering of LDL-cholesterol, LDL-phospholipids and LDL-triglycerides, as well as a decrease in HDL-cholesterol and HDL-phospholipids. After 8 weeks of dietary treatment cholesterol and cholate, the mean area of aortic lesions was not statistically different between fat groups. Conclusions Feeding maritime pine oil is associated with major changes of lipid and lipoprotein levels in hApoB mice. However, in the long term, maritime pine oil has no preventive effect on cholesterol-induced aortic lesion development in hApoB mice. Received: 21 May 2001, Accepted: 23 October 2001     

Effects of inulin-type fructans of different chain length and type of branching on intestinal absorption and balance of calcium and magnesium in rats

Summary. Background: Inulin-type fructans or chains with mainly β[2–1] linked fructose molecules escape the ingestion procedure in the small intestine and are fermented by the microflora, and are known to increase colonic absorption of minerals in animals. The fermentation rate in the large bowel into short-chain fatty acids depends on the molecular mass and the structure of these food ingredients. It is thought that this colonic fermentation is the basis for the reported increase in mineral absorption. Aim of the study: The purpose of the present study was twofold: a) to compare different types of fructans that differ in the sugar chain length and in chain branching; b) to determine the potential synergistic effect of a combination of inulin-type fructans with different chain lengths. Methods: For this purpose, 50 adult male Wistar rats weighing 170 g each were used in this study. The rats were distributed into 5 groups and fed for 28 days a fiber-free basal purified diet or diet containing 10 % oligofructose (OF) (DP_av 4), or 10 % HP-inulin (DP_av 25), a blend of 50 % OF and 50 % HP-inulin, or a branched-chain inulin. Results: During the first period, the rats went into a gradual adaptation, during which the rats received 2.5 % for 1 week and then 5 % for 1 week of the tested products. During the last 4 days of the experiment, feces and urine were monitored for mineral balance study. The animals were then sacrificed and blood, cecum and tibia were sampled for mineral status assessment. Our results showed that the ingestion of all the tested fructans led to a considerable cecal fermentation. All tested compounds increased the intestinal absorption and balance of Mg significantly. Interestingly, in the present experimental set-up, all tested compounds increased the intestinal absorption and balance of Ca numerically, but only the blend OF + HP-inulin increased apparent intestinal absorption and balance of Ca significantly. Conclusions: The different types of fructans studied in the present experiment seem to have similar activity on mineral absorption. However, the combination of OF and HP-inulin showed synergistic effects on intestinal Ca absorption and balance in rats. Further studies with other combinations of fructans need to be done to extend these findings. Received: 5 August 2002, Accepted: 4 November 2002 Correspondence to: Charles Coudray     

Dietary oleoyl-estrone delays the growth rate of young rats

Background Oleoyl-estrone administration induces the rapid loss of fat preserving body protein. Aim of the study We intended to check whether the fat-shedding effect of oleoyl-estrone arrests growth in young rats, limiting the buildup of protein and fat. Methods Oleoyl-estrone diluted in a powdered hyperlipidic diet (33 μmol/kg) was given for 30 days to 30-day old Zucker lean (Fa/?) rats. Their body weight and food consumption were followed daily; on day 30 of treatment (60-day old rats), whole body composition (lipid, protein) was determined, and plasmaenergy parameters and leptin were measured. Results Oleoyl-estrone-treated rats grew more slowly than controls fed the hyperlipidic diet alone, and on day 60 their lipid content was about half that of controls. Protein content per kg was identical in both groups, but treated rats tended to accumulate less nitrogen and energy because of their smaller size. No changes in plasma glucose, urea, triacylglycerols, or total cholesterol were observed, but oleoyl-estrone-treated rats showed lower circulating leptin than controls. Conclusion Despite limiting the accumulation of lipids, oleoyl-estrone slowed, but did not arrest growth of young rats, nor elicit a loss of fat or protein.     

Effect of randomization of mixtures of butter oil and vegetable oil on absorption and lipid metabolism in rats

Background The nutritional effect of the regiospecific distribution of fatty acids in edible fats is currently discussed due to an increased use of interesterification of fats for human consumption. However, disagreeing results have been reported which may be due to the varying composition of the dietary fats compared. Data on the fate of such lipids beyond the bloodstream is rather scarce and animal model studies are needed. Aim of the study To compare the metabolism of butter oil and mixtures of butter and rapeseed oil, native or randomized, in a rat model. The regiospecific fatty acid distribution present in dietary fats was followed through absorption, chylomicron formation, and deposition in adipose tissue and in different liver lipids (triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesterol esters). Methods Rats were fed for 6 weeks from weaning either butter oil (BO), a butteroil-rapeseed oil mixture 65:35 w/w (BR) or a randomized mixture of BR (tBR). Half of the animals were used for organ analysis, the rest for a postprandial study with the same fats and isolation of chylomicrons. The regiospecific distribution of the fatty acids present in the dietary fats was followed during metabolism by analyses of chylomicrons, depot fat and liver lipids, using regiospecific cleavage followed by TLC separation and quantification by GC. Results Randomization of edible fat mixtures leading to equal distribution of fatty acids between TG positions is directly reflected in the composition of chylomicrons. During clearing by lipoprotein lipase this positional distribution is abolished and the regiospecific composition of triacylglycerols in adipose tissue is completely identical for BR and tBR. Chylomicron remnants, which are taken up by the liver, are correspondingly fully degraded to free fatty acis by hepatic lipase, and distribution of fatty acids in liver triacylglycerols phospholipids and cholesterol esters are identical for the groups fed either BR or tBR. The group fed BO with a low content of linoleic acid is on the borderline of essential fatty acid-deficiency. Conclusion Randomization (interesterification) of butter oil with rapeseed oil (65:35 w/w) for use as edible fat did not have any impact on the fatty acid composition beyond the chylomicron step when compared to the native mixture. Received: 5 April 2000, Accepted: 27 October 2000     

Conjugated linoleic acid improves glucose utilization in the soleus muscle of rats fed linoleic acid–enriched and linoleic acid–deprived diets

The effect that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has on glucose metabolism in experimental animals depends on nutritional conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that CLA improves glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity in rats fed different levels of dietary linoleic acid (LA). We investigated the effect of CLA on the uptake, incorporation, and oxidation of glucose and glycogen synthesis in the soleus muscle of rats who were fed either LA-enriched (⁺LA) or LA-deprived (⁻LA) diets, under basal conditions and in the absence or presence of insulin and/or palmitate. For 60 days, male Wistar rats were fed 1 of 4 diets consisting of ⁺LA, ⁻LA, or ⁺LA and ⁻LA supplemented with CLA. Nutritional parameters and soleus glucose metabolism were evaluated. Under basal conditions, CLA enhanced soleus glucose oxidation, whereas increased glucose uptake and incorporation were observed in the ⁻LA + CLA group. Conjugated linoleic acid–supplemented rats presented a lower response to insulin on glucose metabolism compared with non–CLA-supplemented rats. Palmitate partially inhibited the effect of insulin on the uptake and incorporation of glucose in the ⁺LA and ^–LA groups but not in the ⁺LA + CLA or ⁻LA + CLA groups. Dietary CLA increased glucose utilization under basal conditions and prevented the palmitate-induced inhibition of glucose uptake and incorporation that is stimulated by insulin. The beneficial effects of CLA were better in LA-deprived rats. Conjugated linoleic acid may also have negative effects, such as lowering the insulin response capacity. These results demonstrate the complexities of the interactions between CLA, palmitate, and/or insulin to differentially modify muscle glucose utilization and show that the magnitude of the response is related to the dietary LA levels.