Pinus pinaster oil affects lipoprotein metabolism in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The aim of the present study was to assess the antiatherogenic properties o f Pinus pinaster (maritime pine) seed oil. To this end, the effects of P. p inaster oil supplementation on lipoprotein levels and atherosclerotic lesio ns were compared to those of lard or sunflower oil in apolipoprotein E-defi cient mice. Plasma total cholesterol (P < 0.0001) and VLDL + intermediary d ensity lipoprotein (IDL)-cholesterol (P < 0.0001) levels were lower in mice fed P. pinaster and sunflower oil than in those fed the lard diet. in cont rast, triglycerides (P < 0.0001) and VLDL + IDL-triglycerides (P < 0.0001) levels were higher in mice fed P. pinaster oil than sunflower oil or lard. The VLDL + IDL lipid composition of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed P, pinaster oil was intermediate between that of lard-fed transgenic mice and that of wild-type mice fed nonpurified diet. Using the Triton WR1339 method , the fractional catabolic rate of plasma triglycerides was found to be tow er in mice fed P. pinaster oil (P < 0.0001) than sunflower oil or lard diet , suggesting a defective clearance of triglycerides in the P. pinaster grou p. Finally, the susceptibility of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to in vitr o lipoprotein lipase-mediated lipolysis was lower in the P. pinaster oil-fe d group than in the lard-fed group. Despite the differences in VLDL + IDL l evel and lipid composition, the surface areas of aortic atherosclerotic les ions were not significantly different among mice fed P. pinaster, sunflower or lard diets. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated t hat feeding P. pinaster oil had no better preventive effect on aortic ather osclerotic lesion extension in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice than other s aturated or polyunsaturated fats.