EFFECT OF FEEDING BUTTER OR BREGOTT ON PLASMA AND LIPOPROTEIN LIPIDS OF MINIATURE PIGS

It was examined whether a moderate exchange of saturated for polyunsat urated fatty acids would favourably affect plasma lipid levels. This w as done by feeding miniature pigs under a strictly controlled experime ntal regimen ''Western style'' diets with either butter or Bregott, a spread composed of butter and soybean oil. There was a 6.7 % decrease of total plasma cholesterol with Bregott instead of butter (p < 0.05), mainly due to a decrease of cholesterol in VLDL and LDL. This is only a weak effect, but it might be supportive in an overall approach towa rds a more prudent diet. Plasma cholesterol ester fatty acid pattern w as modified according to the pattern of the dietary fat. Levels of ste aric acid were 31 % lower and those of linoleic acid 89 % higher durin g the Bregott period (p < 0.01). Levels of oleic acid were decreased b y 40 % (p < 0.05) during the Bregott period, probably due to relativel y high levels during the butter period induced by a marginal supply of essential fatty acids.