The effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 family (PUFA n-3), (addition offish oil), on the molecular composition of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in plasma and liver perfusate of rats were studied. Rats fed a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (addition of lard) served as controls.
Supplemention with PUFA n-3 not only decreases the plasma concentrations of free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and triglycerides, it also significantly alters the plasma composition of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. Analyses of liver perfusate indicate a decrease in triglycerides secretion by in vitro perfused liver and reciprocal changes in relative contents of cholesteryl esters fractions with CI6 and C2o acyl chains. This finding may be a result of chain-shortening of long-chain fatty acids probably in peroxisomal beta-oxidative system. Alterations in plasma cholesteryl esters and triglycerides composition of the fish oil group could be affected further by additional factors such as increased plasma cholesterol esterification activity and presence of triglyceride species of intestinal origin.