Intake of fried sunflower oil and risk of hepatoesteatosis

Abstract

Previous studies by us in growing male rats indicated the prominentrole of fried sunflower oil (SFOx) consumption in determiningthe risk for growth, cardiovascular and bone effects. In this study,we evaluated the effect of SFOx diet on body fat content, visceralfat, hepato-somatic index (HSI) and liver fatty acids (FA) profile ofgrowing rats.Male weaning Wistar rats (n=21) were randomly assigned to feedingsof one of three different diets. The control rats were fed acommercial diet (C) and the experimental rats received either SFOor SFOx diets. SFO was repeatedly heated for a total of 40 hours(SFOx). SFO and SFOx were mixed with commercial rat chow. Ratswere fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Total body weightand food consumption were recorded every other day. At eight-weekexperimental period, body fat content and visceral fat were measured;HSI and liver FA profile (GC,Testo Equipment, Model 270 at50ºC) were determined. Results. SFOx vs. SFO and C showed thattotal body weight (323.1±9.1< 335.5±10.9=337.7±8.9 g; p=0.044), %body fat (13.7±0.8b vs.15.9±1.7cvs.10.2±1.3a; p=0.001); % visceralfat (3.55±0.36>3.08±0.38> 2.55±0.33; p=0.008) and HSI (4.17±0.34vs. 3.64±0.27 =3.66±; p=0.016) were altered. In SFOx rats, serumT-Chol and nonHDL-Chol were the highest (p=0.025 and 0.029, respectively).SFO, SFOx and C groups attained similar serum concentrationsof triglycerides and HDL-Chol (P=0.057 and P=0.265,respectively). There were significant higher liver profile of total saturatedfatty acids; trans FA and unidentified minor compounds inSFOx group (p=0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.025; respectively); meanwhile,SFOx group presented significantly lower in total PUFA (p=0.001) and MUFA (p=0.001) than SFO and C groups. Conclusions.The potential adverse effects of SFOx denoted the risk for liver dysfunction.Dyslipidemia and increased visceral fat content contributeto the presence and/or progression of hepatosteatosis.