Dietary fat-induced postprandial lipemia: effect on arterial oxygen saturation and plasma lactate, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in subjects with angina pectoris.

The effects of dietary fat-induced lipemia on arterial oxygen tension and plasma lactate, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were examined in 11 male subjects (average age 60) with a diagnosis of arteriosclerotic coronary vascular disease and angina pectoris. All subjects were alternately fed three isocaloric formula meals consisting of 100 g of cream fat, 100 g of saffola oil, and an isocaloric nonfat cornstarch control meal. Resting values of arterial blood gases and plasma lactate, triglyceride, and cholesterol were measured before (fasting) and at 3 and 5 hr postprandially. Both types of dietary fat produced significant postprandial decreases in plasma lactate, significant increases in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and no significant changes in arterial oxygen tension. The control meal had no effect upon any value except to transiently increase the plasma lactate. The role of postprandial lipemia in the atherosclerotic process is discussed and a hypothesis for the plasma cholesterol elevation due to dietary fats is presented.