Modification of retinyl acetate toxicity in rats by coadministration of menhaden oil

C Lindamood1, L Mac Thigpen, H D Giles

  • 1Kettering-Meyer Laboratory, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama 3255-5305.

Insights

Menhaden oil (MO) reduces high triglycerides and cholesterol caused by retinyl acetate (ROAc) in rats. MO also lessened ROAc-induced fractures, indicating potential for combined retinoid and fish oil therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Menhaden oil (MO) exhibits hypolipidemic and anticarcinogenic properties.
  • Retinyl acetate (ROAc) can induce hypertriglyceridemia and other toxic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of menhaden oil (MO) on retinyl acetate (ROAc)-induced hypertriglyceridemia and toxicity in rats.
  • To evaluate the potential of MO as a counteragent to ROAc-induced adverse effects.

Main Methods:

  • Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered daily doses of corn oil (control), MO, ROAc in corn oil, or ROAc in MO for 30 days.
  • Serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, fracture incidence, body weight, food consumption, and serum alkaline phosphatase were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Coadministration of MO significantly reduced ROAc-induced hypertriglyceridemia and lowered serum cholesterol.
  • MO reduced ROAc-induced fracture incidence at a dose of 80 mg/kg but not 250 mg/kg.
  • No significant differences were observed in weight gain, food consumption, or alkaline phosphatase levels, suggesting MO's activity is not due to reduced ROAc absorption.

Conclusions:

  • Menhaden oil effectively mitigates key toxicities associated with retinyl acetate administration in rats.
  • These findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of combining retinoids with menhaden oil, warranting further investigation into their combined toxicity and anticarcinogenic potential.

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