Comparison of maritime pine oil and fish oil effects on plasma lipoproteins in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The goal of this study was to compare the lipid lowering properties of mari time pine and fish oils in apolipoprotein E-deficient (KOE) mice, an animal model of hyperlipidemia. KOE mice were supplemented with either lard, fish or maritime pine oil (10% w/w) for one month. Compared to lard, fish and m aritime pine oils decreased cholesterol (-31% and -52% respectively) and ph ospholipid (-41 and 62%) levels and increased triglyceride (+182% and +123% ) levels. These lipid changes resulted in an enrichment in triglycerides an d a depletion in cholesterol of VLDL+IDL plasma fraction as compared to lar d-fed mice. These findings suggest that VLDL-triglyceride lipolysis is impa ired in KOE mice fed fish or maritime pine oil. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publisher s Ltd.