Effect of MaxEPA (fish oil) on lipoproteins and its receptors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The effect of dietary MaxEPA (fish oil) supplementation on cholesterol induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits was investigated. Rabbits were fed 0.1% cholesterol enriched diet for one month and randomly divided into two groups (I and II). Group I was continued on a 0.1% cholesterol rich diet whereas group II in addition to cholesterol supplementation received MaxEPA (2.5 g/kg body weight) per day for a period of two months. B-VLDL-C, LDL-C and total serum peroxide levels (TBARS) were significantly higher in group II animals as compared to group I. No statistical difference was found in the number of hepatic B-VLDL binding sites between group I and II. Microscopic examination of the aorta showed an increase in the number of intimal foam cells in MaxEPA treated group, a result that may be linked to increase in total cholesterol, plasma TBARS and with simultaneous reduced hepatic uptake of B-VLDL.