Low-fat, monounsaturate-rich diets reduce susceptibility of low density lipoproteins to peroxidation ex vivo.

Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays an important role in the process of atherosclerosis. The susceptibility of LDL to oxidation and the amount of peroxidation products formed are influenced by the lipoprotein content of 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6, and the 18:2n-6/18:1n-9 ratio, which is dependent in part on dietary fatty acids. The purpose of this study was to determine if changing from a typical American diet to a low-fat, monounsaturate-rich diet (LFMR) would result in favorable alterations in the fatty acid composition and oxidative profile of LDL in hypercholesterolemic individuals. Free-living postmenopausal hypercholesterolemic women who routinely consumed a diet moderately high in total fat and total saturates (34 and 11%, respectively) followed an LFMR diet (26% fat, 6% saturated fat, and 14% monounsaturated fat) for 6 mon. Sixteen postmenopausal hypercholesterolemic women already following standard low-fat (LF) diets acted as a control for seasonal variations in serum lipids. LDL from randomly selected subjects (LF n = 6, LFMR n = 5) was evaluated. LFMR diets resulted in LDL with increased concentrations and percentages of 18:1n-9, reduced 18:2n-6/18:1n-9 ratio, and lower percentages of 18:2n-6. No significant changes in LDL fatty acids occurred in the LF group. Conjugated diene lag time increased in both groups during copper-induced in vitro oxidation. Only the LFMR group experienced an increase in lipid peroxide lag time and a decrease in lipid peroxide formation. The LFMR diet was well tolerated and may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.