Cardiac Lipid Changes in Rats Fed Oils Containing Long-Chain Fatty Acids

Fat accumulation occurred in the myocardium of young rats fed docosenoic acid provided by liquid or partially hydrogen-ated rapeseed oil or partially hydrogenated herring oil. The composition of the cardiac fatty acids and the histopathology in rats receiving oil as 40% of calories were studied after 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. In those fed liquid rapeseed oil, a peak accumulation was reached at 7 days and thereafter decreased, and the concentration of docosenoic acid was higher than in those fed the hydrogenated oils.

A zero-effect level of abnormal fat deposition from liquid rapeseed oil was found to be 5% by weight of the diet or 10% of calories. Further increases in the level of dietary rapeseed oil enhanced the cardiac fat droplets and the accumulation of dietary fatty acids, particularly docosenoic acid.

Canbra oil had no effect on lipid accumulation in the heart.