The Effect of long and medium chains fatty acid on obese rats

Abstract

Obesity is a major health concern and an important risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids contain (ω-3 and ω-6), present in vegetable oils, is inversely related to the incidence of heart disease by decreasing cholesterol and triacylglycerol plasmatic levels. The alternative dietary source of long chain n-3 fatty acids might be their precursor, α- linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3 n-3). ALA is found in many foods including flaxseed oil, walnuts and leafy vegetables. Previous reports suggested that increased intake of ALA similarly to be intake of EPA and DHA, may have beneficial effects in health and in control of chronic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of mixture from long and medium chain fatty acids on obese rats. Fifty six adult male white albino rats, Sprague Dawley Strain, 10 weeks age, weighing (190±10g) were used in this experiment. All rats were fed on basal diet for 7 consecutive days. After this adaptation period, rats are divided into 8 groups, each group which consists of seven rats as follows: