Electrocardiogram and renal concentrating capacity in rats fed a diet containing rapeseed oil

The functional effects of a diet containing rapeseed oil (40% of total energy intake) were studied in rats, starting at age 28 days. There were no effects on the electrocardiogram in spite of morphological changes in the myocardium. In 10 female rats the urine osmolality following 16 hours of dehydration was approximately 20% lower than in 10 control rats during the 9th, 10th and 20th week of the experiment. It is suggested that erucic acid in the rapeseed oil inhibits beta-oxidation of fatty acids in the kidney, thereby depriving the kidney of energy involved in sodium transport.