Dietary trilinoelaidate: effects on hematological parameters, serum eicosanoids and tissue fatty acid composition in...

Increasing levels of tt18:2 were fed to rats for 11 weeks and the following parameters evaluated: bleeding time; platelet and red blood cell (RBC) counts; packed RBC volume; RBC hemolysis; (none of which were affected) and RBC calcium content; myeloid/erythroid marrow ratios (M/E); fatty acid composition of plasma and heart lipids, and serum eicosanoids, e.g., thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto). At the highest level of tt18:2 fed (6.3 en%), there was a notable decrease in RBC calcium content. Furthermore, this level of tt18:2 (6.3 en%) significantly decreased M/E ratios compared to normal, as did lower tt18:2 levels. Plasma and heart fatty acids reflected expected changes with increasing dietary tt18:2. Serum TXB2 versus 6-keto levels were more indicative of dietary trilinoelaidate intervention. TXB2 levels were significantly decreased with no apparent change in 6-keto serum levels in the rats fed 6.3 en% tt18:2 compared to control. Although the consumption of trilinoelaidate, at levels approximating normal human intake, (0.6 en%) is apparently not deleterious to any of the hematologic criteria studied; higher levels precipitate changes in M/E ratios. RBC calcium content and serum TXB2 levels. Therefore, until more physiological parameters have been evaluated, dietary tt18:2 seems to be without detrimental effects.