Influence of long term feeding of palm oil on the lipid composition of perirenal adipose tissue in rats.

The composition of perirenal adipose tissue in Wistar strain of rats fed palm oil (PO) fat at 5% and 20% in diet for a period of 18 weeks was studied. Peanut oil (PNO) at 5% and 20% were used as controls. Under the experimental conditions, the saturation index was higher in animals fed diet containing PO compared to those fed PNO. There was no significant difference with reference to 12:0, 14:0 and 18:1 fatty acid levels, whereas linoleic acid (18:2) showed a proportional relationship between the intake and perirenal adipose tissue levels. There was a significant correlation of dietary intake of linoleic acid and the U/S ratio in the adipose tissue. Linoleic acid (18:2, n6) levels were increased in 20% PNO groups as compared to those fed PO. However, palmitoleic acid (16:1) did not show a proportional relationship between the intake and adipose tissue levels. Thus, our studies show that more saturated fatty acids are incorporated in the PO group than in the PNO groups at the end of 18 weeks feeding.