Level of dietary iron, not type of dietary fat, is hyperlipidemic in copper-deficient rats

Objective: This study was conducted to determine whether high dietary iron will negate the protective effect of unsaturated fat against hyperlipidemia . Methods: Forty-eight weanling, male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assig ned to eight dietary groups differing in the levels of copper and iron and type of dietary fat (saturated or unsaturated). The diets were either defic ient (0.6 mu g Cu/g) or adequate (6.8 mu g Cu/g) copper and either adequate (53 mu g Fe/g) or high (506 mu g Fe/g) iron. All diets contained starch as the sole source of dietary carbohydrate. Results: Regardless of the type of dietary fat, three copper-deficient rats fed the high levels of dietary iron died prematurely due to ruptured heart s. Surviving rats belonging to the copper deficiency and high-dietary iron regimen developed severe anemia, enlarged hearts and livers, and exhibited the highest levels of liver iron. These rats also developed hypercholestero lemia. Triglycerides were elevated by the consumption of high iron diets. Conclusion: Data show that levels of dietary iron, not the type of dietary fat, are potential inducers of hypertriglyceridemia. Data also show that th e combination of high iron intake and dietary copper deficiency is responsi ble for elevating blood cholesterol.