Distribution of Lipids in Rats Fed 1,3-Butanediol

Abstract

Quantitative thin-layer chromatography was used to measure the level of individual lipid components of liver, plasma and adipose tissue in rats fed 1,3-butanediol (BD) as a replacement of “natural” carbohydrate. The addition of 20% BD to diets containing either 10 or 30% fat resulted in a slight increase in liver neutral lipids, specifically, triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Phospholipid and cholesterol levels were not affected by an increase in dietary fat or BD. Plasma levels of non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol esters were also higher as a result of increases in dietary fat or supplementation with BD. Addition of BD to either the 10 or 30% fat diet resulted in a highly significant decrease in epididymal fat.