Serum lipoprotein lipid and apoprotein (B and A-I) responses to saturated fat-rich diet in cynomolgus monkeys: effects of carbohydrate type and cholesterol.

The effects of carbohydrate type and cholesterol in a high saturated fat diet (40% cal) on serum lipoprotein lipid and apoprotein responses were studied in 12 male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). For 6 wk each monkey was fed one of four semipurified diets that provided by calorie 49% as starch or sucrose without and with 1 mg/kcal cholesterol. Starch and sucrose diets without added cholesterol resulted in similar levels of serum total cholesterol and apoB; whereas starch produced significantly higher values for these variables than sucrose when cholesterol was added to these diets. Starch diet, irrespective of dietary cholesterol, yielded significantly lower apoA-I levels than sucrose diet. Carbohydrate type did not affect serum triglyceride levels. Cholesterol-enriched starch diet resulted in relatively higher intermediate- and low-density lipoproteins and lower high-density lipoproteins in comparison to similar sucrose diet. Thus, the magnitude of responses of serum lipoproteins can be affected by the type of carbohydrate.