EFFECT OF MAXEPA (FISH-OIL) ON LIPOPROTEINS AND ITS RECEPTORS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RABBITS

The effect of dietary MaxEPA (fish oil) supplementation on cholesterol induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits was investigated. Rabbits wer e fed 0.1% cholesterol enriched diet for one month and randomly divide d into two groups ( I and II) Group I was continued on a 0.1% choleste rol rich diet whereas group II in addition to cholesterol supplementat ion received MaxEPA (2.5 g/kg body weight) per day for a period of two months. B-VLDL-C, LDL-C and total serum peroxide levels (TBARS) were significantly higher in group II animals as compared to group I. No st atistical difference was found in the number of hepatic B-VLDL binding sites between group I and II. Microscopic examination of the aorta sh owed an increase in the number of intimal foam cells in MaxEPA treated group, a result that may be linked to increase in total cholesterol, plasma TEARS and with simultaneous reduced hepatic uptake of B-VLDL.