Increased liver oleic acid synthesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Several investigators have observed increased levels of esterified oleic acid in tissue cholesterol esters and phospholipids of atherosclerotic humans and cholesterol-fed animals. However, the cause of this is still unknown. Increased synthesis, increased esterification, or both of oleic acid can account for this. In the present investigation, hepatic synthesis of oleic acid is studied in cholesterol-fed rabbits. A nearly 3-fold increase in oleic acid synthesis was observed after 3 weeks of cholesterol feeding. This increase continued for at least 6 weeks. Since acyl acceptors like glycerol-3-phosphate are known to increase liver oleic acid synthesis it is possible that the observed increased in oleic acid formation was partially due to an increased availability of acyl acceptors in the system.