Blood lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects of a structured lipid containing monoacylglyceride enriched with monounsaturated fatty acids in C57BL/6 mice

J Med Food. 2009 Apr;12(2):452-60. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2007.0693.

Abstract

We recently reported that a synthetic edible oil-containing monoacylglyceride (MAG) and diacylglyceride (DAG) exerted anti-atherosclerotic effects. In order to further investigate the activities and individual effects of MAG and DAG on the atherosclerotic process, we prepared a structured oil with various MAG and DAG contents and tested them both in vitro and in vivo, using C57BL/6 mice. The structured oil to be tested was mixed (final concentration 5%, wt/wt) with a high-cholesterol high-fat diet (1.2% cholesterol/15% fat/0.5% sodium cholate) and provided to the mice for 7 weeks. After administration, the mice consuming MAG97%-oil and DAG50%/MAG10%-oil evidenced 17% and 24% decreases in plasma total cholesterol (TC) level, respectively, as compared to a group of mice fed on lard. The experimental mice also had reduced plasma triglyceride concentrations and elevated high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol to TC ratios, by up to 31% in the case of the DAG50%/MAG10%-oil fed mice. The mice fed on MAG97%-oil exhibited elevated plasma antioxidant activity and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Histological assessments of the livers of the mice showed that the consumption of MAG-containing oil attenuated the adhesion of inflammatory cells and also ameliorated fatty liver changes, as compared to what was observed in the case of DAG85%-oil consumption. In conclusion, the MAG-containing oil exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vivo, as well as in vitro inhibitory activity against human cholesteryl ester transfer protein. These results provide us with new insights into MAG-containing oil in terms of hypocholesterolemic effects and antioxidant activities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / blood
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apolipoproteins / blood
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
  • Diglycerides / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Lipids
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Monoglycerides / pharmacology*
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Apolipoproteins
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Dietary Fats
  • Diglycerides
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Lipids
  • Monoglycerides
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol
  • Acyltransferases
  • lard