EFFECTS OF DIETS OF HOMOGENEOUS SATURATED TRIGLYCERIDES ON CHOLESTEROL BALANCE IN RATS

The effects of a diet of 10% homogeneous triglycerides of 12 to 18-carbon chain saturated fatty acids on cholesterol absorption and turnover were studied in rats. Cholesterol absorption was successively significantly less in rats fed tristearin than in groups fed tripalmitin, trimyristin and trilaurin. Lesser fatty acid absorption may explain the differences in part since cholesterol absorption was significantly correlated with fat absorption. Colesterol removal from plasma was fastest in rats fed tristearin. Plasma cholesterol levels were increased with the trilaurin diet although the rate of cholesterol accumulation in lymph after gavage was slower with trilaurin. Lymph triglycerides were highest with trilaurin and trimyristin diets perhaps indicating endogenous mobilization of triglyceride for lipoprotein formation. Lymph triglycerides were decreased with tristearin. Sterol turnover (production, absorption plus synthesis) was increased with tristearin or trilaurin by kinetic or balance methods.