Deleterious Effects of High Fat Diets on Survival Time of X-Irradiated Mice. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The effects of multiple sublethal doses of total body x-irradiation were determined on survival time of male mice fed either a purified fat-free ration or a similar diet supplemented with 2%, 10%, 20% or 30% cottonseed oil, margarine fat or butter fat. The effects obtained were dependent on the amount and source of dietary fat. At levels of 2% or 10% of the diet cottonseed oil and margarine fat increased survival time over that on the fat-free ration. When these fats were fed at higher levels (i.e., 20% or 30% of the diet), however, survival time was decreased below that obtained at the lower levels of supplementation. In contrast to the results obtained with the cottonseed oil or margarine fat supplements, butter fat at levels of 2% or 10% of the diet did not prolong survival over that on the fat-free ration; nor did it decrease survival time when fed at higher levels in the diet.