Effect of dietary fatty acids on fatty acids composition of serum phospholipids in diabetes mellitus model rats

  Objective   To investigate the influence of dietary n-3 compared with n-6 PUFA on the FA composition of S-PL and glucose metabolism in OLETF rats, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  Methods   20 male OLETF rats of 14-week age were divided into 2 groups randomly. Isocaloric diets contained either n-6 PUFA 141.6 mol/(100 mol·fats)2 or n-3 PUFA 1 20.4 mol/(100 mol·fats)2 buthad identical contents of SFA, MUFA and PUFA. An OGTT and measur ement of insulin level was performed at 24 weeks of age after 10-week treatment. The FA composition of S-PL in the two groups of rats was observed as well.

  Results   The food intake and bodyweight gain were comparable in n-6 and n3 groups. The results of OGTT and measurement of serum insulin level showed that the n-3 diethad a more beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity than the n-6 diet. The S-PL in the rats of the n-3 diethad higher contents of 18: 1(n-9), total MUF As, 18: 2(n-6), n-3 series PUFAs and lower contents of 20: 4(n-6), total n-6 PUFAs than in the n-6 diet group.

  Conclusion   The n-3 diethad a more beneficial effect on glucose metabolism than the n-6 diet. The FA composition of S-PL was influenced by the dietary fats but not a direct reflection of dietary FA composit ion in OLETF rats.