Effects of different quantities of fat on serum and liver lipids, phospholipid class distribution and fatty acid composition in alcohol-treated rats

Abstract

The present study investigated the quantitative effect of dietary fats and ingestion of alcohol on serum and liver lipids, fatty acid bound to phospholipids and their class distribution of male Wistar rats. The rats in C (control) and A (alcohol) groups were fed a standard laboratory diet, HFC (high fat-control) and HFA (high fat-alcohol) groups were fed a high fat diet (standard diet supplemented with 20 g%w/w, sunflower oil: lard mixture 1:1) for 6 wk. Alcohol-treated rats consumed alcohol at the rate of 9 g/kgbw/d (15-20% energy). Liver phospholipid (PL) content was decreased, and phospholipid/cholesterol liver molar ratio increased in the alcohol treated rats. The proportion of serum sphingophospholipid (Sph) was significantly lower and proportion of phosphatidylcholin (PC) significantly higher in serum PL in alcohol-treated rats. Phospholipid class distribution was unaffected by alcohol feeding in liver. Significantly lower levels of 16:1n-7 and higher levels of 20:5n-3 and 22:4n-6 in the serum PL were observed in the alcohol-treated rats. The groups on the HF diet increased levels of 20:4n-6, 22:4n-6 and total n-6, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)and decreased levels of 18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)in both liver and serum PL, but n-3 fatty acid increased in serum PL and decreased in liver PL compared to groups on the standard diet. Alcohol fat interaction was evident in MUFA and PUFA/SFA in serum PL and n-6, MUFA, PUFA and polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratios (PUFA/SFA) in liver PL. This study showed that the high fat intake in alcohol-treated rats increased levels of 20:4n-6, 22:4n-6 and 20:4/18:2 ratio, and decreased level of 18:1n-9 in liver and serum phospholipids.