Effects of dietary fat and nitrite on plasma and corporal density

Two groups of nine weanling male rats each were fed different diets for 60 days. Group A (control) was fed a full casein diet containing 17% protein. The group B received the same diet plus nitrite, fried bacon and proline. Diet B induced increased body weight gain and increased plasma l-lactic acid and cholesterol levels, as well as a decrease in plasma selenium. We suggest that the adverse effects of diet B are related to peroxidation, with an increased nutritional need for selenium.