Effects of dietary fish oil on the fatty acid composition of the main lipid classes of chick plasma lipoproteins.

We have studied the effects of diet supplementation with 10% fish oil on fatty acid composition of the main lipid classes of chick plasma lipoproteins bearing in mind the relationship between platelet aggregation and eicosanoid production from arachidonic acid. Fish oil drastically increased the percentages of 20:5 n-3 and 22:6 n-3 acids in the high density lipoprotein lipids. The 20:5/22:6 ratio increased in triacylglycerol fraction whereas in phospholipids and cholesterol esters both 20:5 and 22:6 acids increased in a similar proportion.

Fish oil reduces cholesterol and arachidonic acid levels in plasma and lipoproteins from hypercholesterolemic chicks.

The value of fish oil for prevention and/or treatment of human atherosclerosis has not been fully established. This study shows that replacement of saturated fat in young chick diet with menhaden oil produced a significant reversion of the hypercholesterolemia previously induced by coconut oil feeding. Fish oil also produced a clear decrease of plasma triacylglycerol levels.

Dietary fish oil reduces cholesterol and arachidonic acid levels in chick plasma and very low density lipoprotein.

The mechanisms involved in the hypolipidemic effects of fish oil have not been clearly established. This study shows that supplementation of 10% menhaden oil to the chick diet for 7 days produced a significant hypocholesterolemia and hypotriglyceridemia. Fatty acid composition of chick plasma drastically changed by the same dietary manipulation.