Effect of fatty acids on hyphal growth in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans

Candida albicans est une levure pathogène qui, à l’état commensal, colonise les muqueuses de la cavité orale et du tractus gastro-intestinal. De nature opportuniste, C. albicans cause de nombreuses infections, allant des candidoses superficielles (muguet buccal, vulvo-vaginite) aux candidoses systémiques sévères. C. albicans a la capacité de se développer sous diverses morphologies, telles que les formes levures, pseudohyphes et hyphes. Des stimuli environnementaux mimant les conditions retrouvées chez l’hôte (température de 37°C, pH neutre, présence de sérum) induisent la transition levure-à-hyphe (i.e. morphogenèse ou filamentation). Cette transition morphologique contribue à la pathogénicité de C. albicans, du fait que des souches présentant un défaut de filamentation sont avirulentes. Non seulement la morphogenèse est un facteur de virulence, mais elle constituerait aussi une cible pour le développement d’antifongiques. En effet, il a déjà été démontré que l’inhibition de la transition levure-à-hyphe atténuait la virulence de C. albicans lors d’infections systémiques. Par ailleurs, des études ont démontré que de nombreuses molécules pouvaient moduler la morphogenèse. Parmi ces molécules, certains acides gras, dont l’acide linoléique conjugué (CLA), inhibent la formation d’hyphes. Ainsi, le CLA posséderait des propriétés thérapeutiques, du fait qu’il interfère avec un déterminant de pathogénicité de C. albicans. Par contre, avant d’évaluer son potentiel thérapeutique dans un contexte clinique, il est essentiel d’étudier son mode d’action. Ce projet vise à caractériser l’activité anti-filamentation des acides gras et du CLA et à déterminer le mécanisme par lequel ces molécules inhibent la morphogenèse chez C. albicans. Des analyses transcriptomiques globales ont été effectuées afin d’obtenir le profil transcriptionnel de la réponse de C. albicans au CLA. L’acide gras a entraîné une baisse des niveaux d’expression de gènes encodant des protéines hyphes-spécifiques et des régulateurs de morphogenèse, dont RAS1. Ce gène code pour la GTPase Ras1p, une protéine membranaire de signalisation qui joue un rôle important dans la transition levure-à-hyphe. Des analyses de PCR quantitatif ont confirmé que le CLA inhibait l’induction de RAS1. De plus, le CLA a non seulement causé une baisse des niveaux cellulaires de Ras1p, mais a aussi entraîné sa délocalisation de la membrane plasmique. En affectant les niveaux et la localisation cellulaire de Ras1p, le CLA nuit à l’activation de la voie de signalisation Ras1p-dépendante, inhibant ainsi la morphogenèse. Il est possible que le CLA altère la structure de la membrane plasmique et affecte indirectement la localisation membranaire de Ras1p. Ces travaux ont permis de mettre en évidence le mode d’action du CLA. Le potentiel thérapeutique du CLA pourrait maintenant être évalué dans un contexte d’infection, permettant ainsi de vérifier qu’une telle approche constitue véritablement une stratégie pour le traitement des candidoses.

Changes in Biochemical Composition in Indian Major Carps in Relation to size

Total biochemical composition of freshwater major carps, Labeo rohita -(r9hu); Catla catla (catla); Cirrltinus tnrigala (mrigal), in relation to size was evaluated . The water soluble nitrogen fraction constituted about 21% of the tota l nitro gen . Salt so luble fraction constituted 55 - 60% of the total nitrogen. Non-protein nitrogen represented 12% of the total nit rogen in all the cases except mri gal of small size (9.36%). The insoluble connec tive tissu e contributed to 2-3 per cent of tota l nitrogen . The monounsaturated fatty acid s (MUFA) formed 31-39% of the total fatty acids and 60-68% of the MUFA in freshwat er carps was CI 8:1. The esse ntial amino acids contributed to 41 to 51% of the total amino acid s in freshwater major carps. Arom atic amino acid content was sligh tly higher compared to marine fishe s while the proportion of proline was less. Varia tions in compos ition in rela tion to size are discu ssed . The autolytic activi ty was significantly higher in small fish in all the three species

Effect of high dose selenium enriched yeast diets on the distribution of total selenium and selenium species within lamb tissues

The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of total selenium (Se) and of the proportion of total Se comprised as the selenized amino acids selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeCys) within the post mortem tissues of lambs that were fed high dose selenized enriched yeast (SY), derived from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisae CNCM (Collection Nationale de Culture de Micro-organism) I-3060. Thirty two Texel X Suffolk lambs (6.87 ± 0.23 kg BW) were offered both reconstituted milk replacer and a pelleted diet, both of which had been either supplemented with high SY (6.30 ± 0.18 mg Se/kg DM) or unsupplemented (0.13 ± 0.01 mg Se/kg of DM), depending on treatment designation, for a continuous period of 91 d. At enrollment and 28, 56 and 91 d following enrollment lambs were blood sampled. At the completion of the treatment period, five lambs from each treatment group were euthanased and samples of heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle (Longissimus Dorsi and Psoas Major) were retained for Se analysis. The inclusion of high SY increased (P < 0.001) whole blood Se concentration, reaching a maximum mean value of 815.2 ± 19.1 ng Se/mL compared with 217.8 ± 9.1 ng Se/mL in control animals. Tissue total Se concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in SY supplemented animals than in controls irrespective of tissue type; values were 26, 16, 8 and 3 times higher in skeletal muscle, liver, heart and kidney tissue of HSY lambs when compared to controls. however, the distribution of total Se and the proportions of total Se comprised as either SeMet or SeCys differed between tissue types. Selenocysteine was the predominant selenized amino acid in glandular tissues, such the liver and kidney. irrespective of treatment, although absolute values were markedly higher in HSY lambs. Conversely selenomethionine was the predominat selenized amino acid in cardiac and skeletal muscle (Longissimus Dorsi, and Psoas Major) tissues in HSY animals, although the same trend was not apparent for control lambs in which SeCys was the predominant selenized amino acid. It was concluded that there were increases in both whole blood and tissue total Se concentrations as a result of dietary supplementation with high dose of SY. Furthermore, distribution of total Se and Se species differed between both treatment designation and tissue type.

Omega-3 fatty acids, cardiovascular disease and stability of atherosclerotic plaques

Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in oily fish and in fish oils and similar preparations. Substantial evidence from epidemiological and case-control studies indicates that consumption of fish, oily fish and long-chain n-3 fatty acids reduces risk of cardiovascular mortality. Secondary prevention studies using long-chain n-3 fatty acids in patients post-myocardial infarction have shown a reduction in total and cardiovascular mortality with an especially potent effect on sudden death. Long-chain n-3 fatty acids have been shown to beneficially modify a range of cardiovascular risk factors, which may result in primary cardiovascular prevention. However, reduced non-fatal and fatal events and a reduction in sudden death probably involve other mechanisms. Reduced thrombosis following long-chain n-3 fatty acids may play a role. A decrease in arrhythmias is a favoured mechanism of action of long-chain n-3 fatty acids and is supported by cell culture and animal studies. However human trials using implantable cardiac defibrillators have produced inconsistent findings and a recent meta-analysis does not support this mechanism of action. An alternative mechanism of action may be stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques by long-chain n-3 fatty acids. This is suggested by one published human study which showed that incorporation of long-chain n-3 fatty acids into plaques collected at carotid endarterectomy resulted in fewer macrophages in the plaque and a morphology indicative of increased stability. These findings are supported from observations in an animal model and suggest that the primary effect of long-chain n-3 fatty acids might be on macrophages within the plaque.

The role of meat as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the human diet

It is considered that consumption of very long chain (VLC, carbon chain length >= 20) n - 3 PUFAs in most Western populations is sub-optimal and benefits in relation to chronic disease would be gained from increased consumption. This review examines the current contribution that meat makes to dietary intake of VLC n - 3 PUFA and given its current low contribution, how ruminant meat may be enriched. Enrichment both directly with VLC n - 3 fatty acids and indirectly by increasing intake by the animals of alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA; C 18:3 n - 3) are considered. Since it now appears that dietary ALNA is a very limited source of VLC n - 3 PUFA in humans, the indirect route is controversial but since some forages-are rich sources of ALNA this route has many sustainability and environmental attractions. Consideration is also given to the increased concentrations of trans and conjugated fatty acids that will arise from enriching ruminant meat with PUFA.

The role of meat as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the human diet

It is considered that consumption of very long chain (VLC, carbon chain length >= 20) n - 3 PUFAs in most Western populations is sub-optimal and benefits in relation to chronic disease would be gained from increased consumption. This review examines the current contribution that meat makes to dietary intake of VLC n - 3 PUFA and given its current low contribution, how ruminant meat may be enriched. Enrichment both directly with VLC n - 3 fatty acids and indirectly by increasing intake by the animals of alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA; C 18:3 n - 3) are considered. Since it now appears that dietary ALNA is a very limited source of VLC n - 3 PUFA in humans, the indirect route is controversial but since some forages-are rich sources of ALNA this route has many sustainability and environmental attractions. Consideration is also given to the increased concentrations of trans and conjugated fatty acids that will arise from enriching ruminant meat with PUFA.

Long-term monounsaturated fatty acid diets reduce platelet aggregation in healthy young subjects

The aim of the present study was to compare the response of a range of atherogenic and thrombogenic risk markers to two dietary levels of saturated fatty acid (SFA) substitution with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in students living in a university hall of residence. Although the benefits of such diets have been reported for plasma lipoproteins in high-risk groups, more needs to be known about effects of more modest SFA-MUFA substitutions over the long term and in young healthy adults. In a parallel design over 16 weeks, fifty-one healthy young subjects were randomised to one of two diets: (1) a moderate-MUFA diet in which 16 g dietary SFA/100 g total fatty acids were substituted with MUFA (n 25); (2) a high-MUFA diet in which 33 g dietary SFA/100 g total fatty acids were substituted with MUFA (n 26). All subjects followed an 8-week run-in diet (reference diet), with a fatty acid composition close to the UK average values. There were no differences in plasma lipid responses between the two diets over 16 weeks of the study with similar reductions in total cholesterol (P<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (P<0.01) in both groups; a small but significant reduction in HDL-cholesterol was also observed in both groups (P<0.01). Platelet responses to ADP (P<0.01) and arachidonic acid (P<0.05) differed with time on the two diets; at 16 weeks, platelet aggregatory response to ADP was significantly lower on the high-MUFA than the moderate-MUFA (P<0.01) diet; ADP responses were also significantly lower within this group at 8 (P< 0.05) and 16 (P< 0.01) weeks compared with baseline. There were no differences in fasting factor VII activity (factors VIII and VIIag), fibrinogen concentration or tissue-type plasminogen activator activity between the diets. There were no differences in postprandial factor VIII responses to a standard meal (area under the curve) between the diets after 16 weeks, but postprandial factor VIII response was lower than on the high-MUFA diet compared with baseline (P<0.01). In conclusion, a high-MUFA diet sustains potentially beneficial effects on platelet aggregation and postprandial activation of factor VII. Moderate or high substitution of MUFA for SFA achieves similar reductions in fasting blood lipids in young healthy subjects.

Chylomicron particle size and number, factor VII activation and dietary monounsaturated fatty acids

This study evaluated the effects of substituting dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) on postprandial chylomicron (triacylglycerol (TAG), apolipoprotein B-48 (apo B-48) and retinyl ester (RE)), chylomicron particle size and factor VII (FVII) response when subjects were given a standard meal. In a controlled sequential design, 51 healthy young subjects followed an SFA-rich diet (Reference diet) for 8 weeks after which half of the subjects followed a moderate MUFA diet (n = 25) and half followed a high MUFA diet (n = 26) for 16 weeks. Fasting lipoprotein and lipid measurements were evaluated at baseline and at 8-week intervals during the Reference and MUFA diets. In 25 of the subjects (n = 12 moderate MUFA, n = 13 high MUFA), postprandial responses to a standard test meal containing RE and 13 C-tripalmitin were investigated at the end of the Reference and the MUFA diet periods. Although there were no differences in the postprandial lipid markers (TAG, RE, C-13-TAG) on the two diets, the postprandial apo B-48 response (incremental area under the curve (IAUC) was reduced by 21% on the moderate MUFA diet (NS) and by 54% on the high MUFA diet (P < 0.01). The postprandial peak concentrations of apo B-48 were reduced by 33% on the moderate MUFA diet (P < 0.01) and 48% on the high MUFA diet (P < 0.001). Fasting values for factor VII activity (FVIIc), activated factor VII (FVIIa) or factor VII antigen (FVIIag) did not differ significantly when subjects were transferred from Reference to MUFA diets. However, the postprandial increases in coagulation FVII activity (FVIIc) were 18% lower and of activated FVII (FVIIa) were 17% lower on the moderate MUFA diet (NS). Postprandial increases in FVIIc and FVIIa were 50% (P < 0.05) and 29% (P < 0.07) lower on the high MUFA diet and the area under the postprandial FVIIc response curve (AUC) was also lower on the high MUFA diet (P < 0.05). Significantly higher ratios of RE:apo B-48 (P < 0.001) and 13 C-palmitic acid:apo B-48 (P < 0.01) during both MUFA diets suggest that the CMs formed carry larger amounts of dietary lipids per particle, reflecting an adaptation to form larger lipid droplets in the enterocyte when increased amounts of dietary MUFAs are fed. Smaller numbers of larger chylomicrons may explain attenuated activation of factor VII during the postprandial state when the background diet is rich in MUFA. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modelling the effect of fatty acids in odour development of cooked meat in vitro: part I - sensory perception

We have investigated the contribution of muscle components to the development of cooked meat odour in an aqueous model system using trained taste panels. Reaction mixtures were prepared with oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids with or without cysteine and ribose in a buffer with or without ferrous sulphate. Odour profiles were assessed and triangular tests were used to determine the ability of panellists to discriminate between mixtures. The presence of sugar and amino acid was highly detectable by panellists independently of the fatty acid considered (P < 0.001). However, the presence of C18:3 made differences. more obvious between mixtures than the presence of C18:1 or C18:2. `Meaty' notes were only associated with cysteine and ribose. `Fishy' notes were only apparent in C18:3 mixtures with or without sugar and amino acid, although the presence of cysteine and ribose decreased the perception. The addition of Fe+ +, a pro-oxidant present in the muscle, produced a reduction in the score of the attributes although the pattern was the same as when Fe was not used in the mixtures. Only `fishy' notes that were exclusively perceived in C18:3 mixtures showed a higher score in the presence of iron. Iron also produced a better discrimination in C18:3 mixtures, which were closely related to `grassy' notes in the presence of cysteine and ribose. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Circulating triacylglycerol and apoE levels in response to EPA and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in adult human subjects

High doses of n-3 PUFA found in fish oils can reduce the circulating concentration of triacylglycerol (TG), which may contribute to the positive impact of these fatty acids on the risk of CVD. The present study aimed to establish the differential impact of EPA and docosahexaenoic (DHA) on plasma lipids and apo in adults. Forty-two normolipidaemic adult subjects completed a double-blind placebo controlled parallel study, receiving an EPA-rich oil (4.8 g EPA/d), DHA-rich oil (4.9 g DHA/d) or olive oil as control, for a period of 4 weeks. No effects of treatment on total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol were evident. There was a significant 22% reduction in TG level relative to the control value following the DHA treatment (P=0.032), with the 15% decrease in the EPA group failing to reach significance (P=0-258). There were no significant inter-group differences in response to treatment for plasma apoA1, -C3 or -E levels, although a significant 15% within-group increase in apoE was evident in the EPA (P=0.006) and DHA (P=0.003) groups. In addition, a within-group decrease in the apoAI:HDL-cholesterol ratio was observed in the DHA group, suggesting a positive impact of DHA on HDL particle size. The DHA intervention resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of EPA P=0.000 and DHA P=0.000 in plasma phospholipids, whilst significant increases in EPA P=0.000 and docosapentacnoic acid P=0.002, but not DHA P=0.193, were evident following EPA supplementation (P<0.05). Our present results indicate that DHA may be more efficacious than EPA in improving the plasma lipid profile.

Effect of changing the amount and type of fat and carbohydrate on insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk: the RISCK (Reading, Imperial, Surrey, Cambridge, and Kings) trial

Background: Insulin sensitivity (Si) is improved by weight loss and exercise, but the effects of the replacement of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) or carbohydrates of high glycemic index (HGI) or low glycemic index (LGI) are uncertain. Objective: We conducted a dietary intervention trial to study these effects in participants at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Design: We conducted a 5-center, parallel design, randomized controlled trial [RISCK (Reading, Imperial, Surrey, Cambridge, and Kings)]. The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in Si (measured by using an intravenous glucose tolerance test) and cardiovascular risk factors. Measurements were made after 4 wk of a high-SFA and HGI (HS/HGI) diet and after a 24-wk intervention with HS/HGI (reference), high-MUFA and HGI (HM/HGI), HM and LGI (HM/LGI), low-fat and HGI (LF/HGI), and LF and LGI (LF/LGI) diets. Results: We analyzed data for 548 of 720 participants who were randomly assigned to treatment. The median Si was 2.7 × 10−4 mL · μU−1 · min−1 (interquartile range: 2.0, 4.2 × 10−4 mL · μU−1 · min−1), and unadjusted mean percentage changes (95% CIs) after 24 wk treatment (P = 0.13) were as follows: for the HS/HGI group, −4% (−12.7%, 5.3%); for the HM/HGI group, 2.1% (−5.8%, 10.7%); for the HM/LGI group, −3.5% (−10.6%, 4.3%); for the LF/HGI group, −8.6% (−15.4%, −1.1%); and for the LF/LGI group, 9.9% (2.4%, 18.0%). Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B concentrations decreased with SFA reduction. Decreases in TC and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were greater with LGI. Fat reduction lowered HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 and B concentrations. Conclusions: This study did not support the hypothesis that isoenergetic replacement of SFAs with MUFAs or carbohydrates has a favorable effect on Si. Lowering GI enhanced reductions in TC and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in subjects, with tentative evidence of improvements in Si in the LF-treatment group. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as ISRCTN29111298.

Acute ingestion of a meal rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids results in rapid gastric emptying in humans

Background: n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have proven benefits for both the development of atherosclerosis and inflammatory conditions. The effects on atherosclerosis may be partly mediated by the observed reduction in fasting and postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations after both acute and chronic n-3 PUFA ingestion. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess gastric emptying and gastrointestinal hormone release after the consumption of mixed meals rich in n-3 PUFAs or other classes of fatty acids. Design: Ten healthy women (aged 50–62 y) completed 4 separate study visits in a single-blind, randomized design. On each occasion, subjects consumed 40 g oil rich in either saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, n-6 PUFAs, or n-3 PUFAs as part of a mixed meal. [1-13C]Octanoic acid (100 mg) was added to each oil. Gastric emptying was assessed by a labeled octanoic acid breath test, and concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones and plasma lipids were measured. Results: Recovery of 13C in breath was enhanced after n-3 PUFA ingestion (P < 0.005). The cholecystokinin response after the n-3 PUFA meal was significantly delayed (P < 0.001), and the glucagon-like peptide 1 response was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The inclusion of n-3 PUFAs in a meal alters the gastric emptying rate, potentially as the result of changes in the pattern of cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptide 1 release.

The quantitation of lipoprotein lipase mRNA in biopsies of human adipose tissue, using the polymerase chain reaction, and the effect of increased consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Objective: To examine the effects of the consumption of fish oils on the gene expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL, EC 3.1.1.34) in human adipose tissue. In order to measure LPL mRNA in adipose tissue samples obtained by needle biopsy from human volunteers a competitive, reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) protocol was developed. Design: A randomised controlled, single blind cross over dietary study which compared the effects of a low level n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) using normal foods enriched with eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) (test diet), with non-enriched but otherwise identical foods (control). The diets were consumed for a period of 22 d with a wash out period of 5 months between the diets. Setting: Free-living individuals associated with the University of Surrey. Subjects: Six male subjects with a mean (±sd) age of 51.2±3.6 y were recruited. Major Outcome Measures: Pre-and postprandial blood samples were taken for the measurement of triacylglycerol (TAG), postheparin LPL activity and adipose tissue samples for the measurement of LPL mRNA levels. Results: Mean LPL expression values were 4.12´105 molecules of LPL mRNA per ng total RNA on the control diet and 4.60´105 molecules of LPL mRNA per ng total RNA on the n-3 PUFA enriched (test) diet. There was no significant difference between the levels of LPL expression following each diet, consistent with the lack of change in TAG levels in response to increased dietary n-3 PUFA intake. However, the change in LPL expression (Test-Control diet) correlated significantly with the change in fasting TAG levels (P=0.03, R=-0.87 and R2=0.75) and with the total area under the TAG-time response curve (P=0.003, R=-0.96 and R2=0.92) in individuals. Conclusions: These findings, although based on a small number of subjects, suggest that LPL expression may be a determinant of plasma TAG levels. The development of this methodology should allow further elucidation of the effects of dietary manipulation and disease processes on lipid clearance and regulation in human subjects.

Effects of dietary fatty acid composition on basal and hormonestimulated hepatic lipogenesis and on circulating lipids in the rat

Thirty male rats were randomly assigned to one of three dietary groups in which the source of dietary fat was either a mixed oil, maize oil or fish oil. Effects of dietary fatty acid composition on in virro rates of [U-'4C]glucose incorporation into hepatic total lipids and into hepatic triacylglycerol were measured under basal, insulin (4 nM)-, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP; 6 mi)- and insulin + GIP (4 nM + 6 n ~ ) - stimulated conditions. Effects of the three diets on postprandial plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol, insulin and GIP concentrations were also measured. The fish-oil diet decreased rates of basal glucose incorporation into hepatic total lipids (P < 0.05) and hepatic triacylglycerol (P < 0.01) compared with the mixed-oil diet. The presence of insulin + GIP in the incubation medium stimulated glucose incorporation into hepatic total lipids in the maize-oil (P < 0.01) and fish-oil groups (P < OW), as well as into hepatic triacylglycerol in the maize-oil group (P < 0.005). In addition, the fish-oil diet decreased postprandial plasma triacylglycerol levels compared with both other dietary groups (P < 0-05 both cases), and the mixed-oil diet markedly increased postprandial plasma insulin levels compared with the other dietary groups (P c 0.001).

Pretranslational regulation of the expression of the lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1, l.34) gene by dietary fatty acids in the rat

Although there have been a number of studies of effects of diet and hormones on lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34; LPL) activity and levels of LPL mRNA (Raynolds et al. 1990), there have been no studies which have investigated effects of different dietary fatty acids on LPL gene expression. In the present study male Wistar Albino rats were pair-fed diets containing 50 g fat/kg of different fatty acid composition for 2 weeks. The diets fed were (1) a mixed oil (450 g saturated fatty acids, 420 g monounsaturated fatty acids, 130 g polyunsaturated fatty acids/kg; n 8), (2) maize oil (n 8), or (3) fish oil (n 8). Animals were killed, RNA was extracted from liver and perirenal and epididymal fat pads, and analysed by ‘Northern methodology’. Samples were hybridized to a human cDNA probe for LPL (Gotoda et al. 1989). Two transcripts were identified in epididymai and perirenal adipose tissue which were approximately 3·7 and 1·7 kb in size. The results suggested that (1) fish oil-fed animals had significantly greater production of LPL mRNA in epididymai adipose tissue compared with maize oil-fed animals (P < 0·05), (2) maize oil-fed animals had significantly greater production of LPL mRNA in perirenal fat compared with the other dietary groups (P < 0·05), (3) expression in the liver was not significant. Rats fed on a fish oil diet had significantly reduced plasma triacylglycerol concentrations compared with the mixed-oil group (P < 0·05), but there were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol. The differences in LPL could not be explained directly by the changes in plasma immunoreactive-insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide levels in the three groups.