Effect of Essential Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Methionine on Hypercholesteremia

Abstract

Hypercholesteremic response to cholesterol feeding (3% of diet) in rats on a sulfur-deficient protein diet was largely prevented by the use of dietary fat (safflower oil (SO)) containing high levels of linoleic acid and supplementation with methionine. Substitution of a hydrogenated fat under the same experimental conditions did not effectively prevent hypercholesteremia. SO fed at levels yielding 300 mg/day of linoleic acid per rat prevented hypercholesteremic response for 22 days, while 600 mg/day prevented the response for 40 days. Analysis of data suggests a breakpoint in the protective action of unsaturated fatty acids in presence of excess dietary fat beyond which the hypercholesteremic response is not prevented. These factors are assessed in terms of dietary levels of essential unsaturated fatty acids in man and their role in the prophylaxis of atherosclerosis.