Liver cholesterol concentrations in rats fed diets containing various fats of plant origin

Plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations were measured in rats fed high-cholesterol (1%, w/w), semipurified diets containing various fats of plant origin. Palm oil produced significantly higher plasma cholesterol concentrations than soybean oil, rapeseed oil, coconut fat and palm kernel oil. The content of liver cholesterol in rats fed rapeseed oil was significantly higher than in rats fed the other fats except for soybean oil. When comparing the fatty acid compositions of the fats used, this study suggests that oleic acid induces higher liver cholesterol concentrations than linoleic acid.