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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #229867
Title: Effects of dietary palmitoleic acid on plasma lipoprotein profile and aortic cholesterol accumulation are similar to those of other unsaturated fatty acids in the F1B golden syrian-hamster

Author
item MATTHAN, NIRUPA - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item DILLARD, ALICE - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item LECKER, JAIME - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item IP, BLANCHE - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item Lichtenstein, Alice

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2008
Publication Date: 2/1/2009
Citation: Matthan, N.R., Dillard, A., Lecker, J.L., Ip, B., Lichtenstein, A.H. 2009. Effects of dietary palmitoleic acid on plasma lipoprotein profile and aortic cholesterol accumulation are similar to those of other unsaturated fatty acids in the F1B golden syrian-hamster. Journal of Nutrition. 139:215-221.

Interpretive Summary: Macadamia nut oil is a rich source of palmitoleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Palmitoleic acid has a lower susceptibility to oxidation compared to polyunsaturated fatty acids and may confer functional advantages with respect to finding acceptable alternatives to hydrogenated fats but limited data are available on its effect on cardiovascular risk factors. This study investigated the effect of diets enriched in macadamia, palm/coconut, canola or safflower oils on lipoprotein profiles and atherosclerosis in F1B Golden-Syrian hamsters over a 12-18 week period. Hamsters fed the macadamia oil diet had lower non-HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations compared to the palm and coconut oil fed hamsters, and higher HDL-cholesterol compared to the coconut, canola and safflower oil fed hamsters. There were no significant differences in aortic cholesterol content on the basis of dietary fat type. Liver cholesterol content was higher in the unsaturated compared to the saturated oil fed hamsters. Red blood cell membrane and aortic cholesteryl ester, triglyceride and phospholipid fatty acid profiles reflected that of the dietary oil. These data suggest that an oil relatively high in palmitoleic acid does not have adverse effects on plasma lipoprotein profiles or atherogenesis and was similar to other unsaturated fatty acid rich oils.

Technical Abstract: The lower susceptibility of palmitoleic acid (16:1) to oxidation compared to polyunsaturated fatty acids may confer functional advantages with respect to finding acceptable alternatives to hydrogenated fats but limited data are available on its effect on cardiovascular risk factors. This study investigated the effect of diets (10% fat, 0.1% cholesterol, w/w) enriched in macadamia (MUFA,16:1), palm (SFA,16:0), canola (MUFA,18:1) or safflower (PUFA,18:2) oils on lipoprotein profiles and atherogenesis in F1B Golden-Syrian hamsters (n=16/group). After 12 weeks, 8 hamsters in each group were killed (Phase 1). The remaining hamsters fed palm oil were changed to coconut oil, while hamsters in the other diet groups continued on their original diets for an additional 6 weeks (Phase 2). With minor exceptions, the time course and dietary SFA source did not alter the study outcomes. Hamsters fed the macadamia oil diet had lower non-HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations compared to the palm and coconut oil fed hamsters, and higher HDL-cholesterol compared to the coconut, canola and safflower oil fed hamsters. There were no significant differences in aortic cholesterol content on the basis of dietary fat type. Hepatic cholesterol content was higher in the unsaturated compared to the saturated oil fed hamsters. Red blood cell membrane and aortic cholesteryl ester, triglyceride and phospholipid fatty acid profiles reflected that of the dietary oil. These data suggest that an oil relatively high in palmitoleic acid does not have adverse effects on plasma lipoprotein profiles or atherogenesis and was similar to other unsaturated fatty acid rich oils.