Abstract
Summary
Essential fatty acid deficiency was induced in one group of rats by feeding a fat-free diet, and in another group by supplying hydrogenated coconut oil. All deficient animals had significantly reduced weight gain and tended to have decreased epididymal fat cell size compared to controls. Rats in the fat-free group had significantly more adipocyte free cholesterol than control animals, but no significant alteration in stored free sterol occurred in rats made essential fatty acid deficient with hydrogenated coconut oil. Between experimental essential fatty acid deficient groups, the fat-free group had greater quantities of adipocyte free, and hence, total cholesterol. No alterations in ester content due to essential fatty acid deficiency could be demonstrated, although the percentage of total cholesterol as esters decreased significantly in both experimental groups. It is suggested that adipose tissue responds differently than other peripheral tissues to essential fatty acid deficiency.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.