Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid at high-fat levels on triacylglycerol regulation in mice (original) (raw)

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) at high-fat (HF) levels on parameters related to triacylglycerol (TG) regulation and some potential impacts on liver damage. Methods: Growing mice were fed a control diet (7% corn oil), an HF diet containing 20% corn oil, or an HF diet containing 3% CLA (HF ϩ CLA) for 30 d. Tissue and organ weights, plasma and tissue TG levels, and parameters related to their regulation were evaluated. Liver oxidative status was also assessed. Results: Dietary CLA showed detrimental and beneficial effects. CLA added to the HF diet caused hepatomegaly (ϩ32%) and exacerbated the hepatic TG accumulation (ϩ168%) observed with the HF diet without inducing liver damage; however, it significantly reduced plasma TG concentrations (Ϫ37%) and normalized muscular TG content. An increase in glutathione was associated with total normalization of liver lipid peroxidation. In addition, HF ϩ CLA caused dystrophy of epididymal fat pads, even when the HF diet had increased the adipose tissue mass (30%). The biochemical mechanisms involved in the regulation of lipid levels were related to reduced (Ϫ20%) hepatic very low-density lipoprotein-TG secretion and decreased muscle (Ϫ35%) and adipose (Ϫ49%) tissue contributions to the removal of plasma TG by lipoprotein lipase enzymes. Conclusion: Examination of CLA at HF levels showed hepatomegaly and exacerbation of lipid accretion as a negative impact; however, some positive aspects such as hypotriglyceridemia and protection against oxidative stress were also induced. Even the fat reduction is nutritionally important for weight control; the biochemical mechanisms whereby CLA mediates the potential effects could produce undesirable metabolic alterations.

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact