ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fish oil containing diet versus Iranian fat consumption pattern and standard diets on serum glucose and insulin sensitivity in Wistar rat. Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three dietary groups: a standard diet [containing soy bean-oil], diet containing fish oil and diet containing mixed oil which was designed based on Iranian population fatty acid intake. Dams in each group were fed one of the diets during pregnancy and lactation and the pups were also weaned onto the same diet. Fasting serum glucose [Photometry] and insulin [ELISA] in pups were assessed and insulin sensitivity calculated on puberty. Fasting serum insulin in fish oil-fed group was significantly less than two other groups [P=0.018] and insulin sensitivity in fish oil-fed rats was significantly more than two other groups [P=0.002]. It seems a diet containing fish oil [rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids] causes more insulin sensitivity comparing to diet containing soy bean oil [rich in omega-6 fatty acids] and diet with Iranian population fatty acid intake pattern [rich in saturated fatty acids]