THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT RATIOS AND DOSAGES OF AN OMEGA-6 OMEGA-3 FATTY-ACID SUPPLEMENT ON THE LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL AND FATTY-ACID PROFILE IN NONHUMAN-PRIMATES ON A WESTERN ATHEROGENIC DIET/

Vervet monkeys consuming an atherogenic diet were supplemented with ei ther 200 or 800 mg/d of each of four different gamma-linolenic acid:ei cosapentaenoic acid ratios (9:1, 4:1, 2:1, and 1:1) for 12 weeks. Plas ma and lipoprotein lipids, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fatty aci d analyses were done before and after supplementation. The 4:1 omega 6 :omega 3 fatty acid supplement at 200 mg/d elicited the most favourabl e plasma lipoprotein cholesterol response. The cholesterol concentrati on in LDL and high density lipoprotein was respectively decreased and increased. Linoleic and arachidonic acid content in the LDL cholestery l ester remained constant. Dihomo-gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acid were increased in LDL phosphatidylcholine, while the arachidonic acid content remained relatively constant. It is concluded that the 4 :1 ratio at 200 mg/d was the optimum supplement in our model. The long -term effect of this supplement on lipoprotein metabolism and atherosc lerosis needs to be investigated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.