DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS OF CHYLOMICRON REMNANTS DERIVED FROM CORN-OIL, OR PALM OIL ON BILE-ACID SYNTHESIS AND VERY-LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN SECRETION IN CULTURED RAT HEPATOCYTES

The effects of chylomicron remnants derived from corn oil (rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) and palm oil (rich in li,ng chain satura ted fatty acids) on bile acid synthesis and very low density lipoprote in secretion in cultured rat hepatocytes were studied. Incubation of t he cells with corn oil remnants led to increased bile acid production, while the secretion of lipid in very low density lipoprotein remained unchanged. In contrast, addition of palm oil remnants to the medium d id not affect bile acid synthesis, but resulted in the secretion of ch olesterol-rich very low density lipoprotein. These findings show that chylomicron remnants of different fatty acid composition have differen tial effects on cholesterol metabolism in liver cells, and provide par t of the explanation for the hyper- and hypocholesterolaemic effects o f saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.