Influence of trans unsaturated fats on experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits.

To test the effects of trans unsaturated fatty acids (t-FA) on atherosclerosis, lipidemia and enzyme activities, rabbits were fed a semipurified, cholesterol-free diet containing 40% sucrose, 25% casein and 14% fat for 5 months. Two experimental diets provided either 6% (high) or 3.2% (low) t-FA. The control group was fed a fat of composition similar to the two experimental diets but free of t-FA. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated in the rabbits fed 6% t-FA. Liver glycerides were also elevated in this group. The fatty acids of plasma, erythrocytes, epididymal fat, liver microsomes and liver mitochondria reflected the dietary composition. Levels of aortic atherosclerosis were identical in the three groups. There were no significant differences in activity of five hepatic enzymes: glucose-6-phosphatase (microsomal), fatty acid synthetase (cytosolic), malate dehydrogenase, beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and monoamine oxidase (mitochondrial).