Comparison of mackerel-oil and lard-fat enriched diets on plasma lipids, cardiac membrane phospholipids, cardiovascular performance, and morphology in young pigs.

Purified mackerel-oil extract or lard fat (9.1% wt/wt) was added to a basal diet of young pigs for 8 wk. Effects on plasma lipids, glucose and insulin, cardiac membrane phospholipids, cardiovascular performance, and morphology were studied. A time-dependent reduction of plasma triglyceride (62%), total cholesterol (41%), and HDL cholesterol (47%) was found in the mackerel-oil-fed pigs. The postprandial glucose and insulin response may indicate a mackerel-oil-induced resistance of insulin receptors. Although the polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of cardiac sarcolemma widely differed between the two groups, all determined indices of heart function were equal. It is concluded that consumption of a fish-oil diet with a low content of monoenes and supplemented with antioxidants reduces plasma lipid levels without producing pathological side effects.