Chronic consumption of trans-fat-rich diet increases hepatic cholesterol levels and impairs muscle insulin sensitivity without leading to hepatic steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia in female Fischer rats.

Background: The impact of industrial trans fatty acids (TFAs) on lipid metabolism and health remains elusive.

Methods: We compared the effect of long-term (52 weeks) ingestion of 10% partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, providing 4.2% of total energy from TFAs, on hepatic lipid metabolism and muscle insulin sensitivity in weanling female Fischer rats with that of palmolein (monounsaturated fatty acid, MUFA), sunflower (n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, PUFA), and a blend of sunflower and fish oil (n-3 PUFA).