EFFECT OF FISH OIL INTAKE ON PLASMA LIPIDS LEVEL IN RATS AND PIGS

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of diet enriched with 2.5% fish oil (source of polyunsaturated fatty acids) and the effect of diet enriched with 2.5% palm oil (source of saturated fatty acids; control) on plasma lipids level. Two model animals were used: Sus scrofa and Rattus norvegicus. Levels of total plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density cholesterol and high-density cholesterol were analysed by the enzymatic-colorimetric method. There were no significant differences between absolute values of the lipid fractions. Plasma lipid concentration in animals which was fed by diet enriched with fish oil was expressed like ratio of the plasma concentration in the other group of animals. In this case dietary fish oil decreased high-density cholesterol less (P<0.01), but low-density cholesterol and triacylglycerols more (P<0.05 and P<0.001) in rat plasma than in pig's. However, used amount of fish oil added to diet was not able to improve plasma lipid markers in comparison with saturated palm oil.