Effect of trans fatty acids on plasma lipids, platelet function and systolic blood pressure in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To investigate the effect of trans fatty acids on plasma lipid levels and systolic blood pressure, hydrogenated corn oil was fed to SHRSP (stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats) and WKY (Wistar-Kyoto) rats for 30 days. Significantly lower systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol were observed in SHRSP rats fed trans fatty acids when compared with rats fed cis fatty acids from olive oil. In addition, higher HDL cholesterol and lower VLDL plus chylomicron cholesterol levels were found in SHRSP rats fed trans fatty acids. Although no significant changes of systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol levels were observed in WKY rats after trans fatty acids treatment, WKY rats fed trans fatty acids had lower plasma LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol levels. In addition, platelet aggregation induced by collagen was decreased in WKY rats fed trans fatty acids. It is interesting that trans fatty acids increased the activity of plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in both SHRSP and WKY rats. The observed influence of trans fatty acids on plasma lipid levels, systolic blood pressure and platelet aggregation suggests that trans fatty acids might prevent thrombotic disorders in SHRSP rats.