M. Fields et Cg. Lewis, Level of dietary iron, not type of dietary fat, is hyperlipidemic in copper-deficient rats, J AM COL N, 18(4), 1999, pp. 353-357
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.