[Effect of the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega 6 and omega 3 families in the diet of rats on the cholesterol content of the blood plasma and liver].

The influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 6 and omega 3 on the cholesterol level in the blood plasma and liver was studied in rats fed with rations containing no fats during 6 weeks. The total cholesterol content in the blood plasma decreased in the animals given ration with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and the ration containing "Iwashi" sardine fat combined with sunflower oil. In the animals receiving the latter ration the level of free cholesterol in the liver lowered, however, the level of total cholesterol and its esters rose that could be explained by the reduction of the ratio of fatty acids 20:4/18:2 in cholesterol esters.