[Cholesterol ester-composition of the adrenal glands of rats in various fat-rich diet regimes].

Cells of adrenal cortex (AC) contain in about 80-90% cholesterol esters (CE), related to total cholesterol. It is assumed, that dietary fats can influence the composition of CE and hydrolytic activity of AC, leading to disorders in steroid biosynthesis. Results are presented about fatty acid composition of CE of AC from rats, fed with a fat rich diet containing different dietary fats. 5 groups and 2 subgroups of male rats at the age of 11 months were investigated: group K--control; group Oil--sunflower oil + lard; group Sch--lard; group Bu--butter; group Hy--hydrogenated oil: Every 5 animals from groups Oil and Bu were treated with dehydroepiandrosterone. Lipids of AC were extracted and analyzed chromatographically. The content of CE and other lipid classes did not differ among experimental groups and control. Differences in fatty acid composition of AC--CE, however, reflect the composition of dietary fats. Trans-isomers were detected by Ag+-thin layer chromatography. It can be assumed, that physiological barrier against trans-isomers is low. Possibly fat rich diets inhibits utilization of linoleic acid, leading to a deficit of arachidonic acid, which influences prostaglandin synthesis and causes disorders in steroid biosynthesis. Hormone treated animals showed minor differences in fatty acid composition of CE in AC in comparison to control. The results outline, that fat-rich diets with different dietary fats influence the composition of CE in AC.