[Comparison of effects of three diets containing "Fish Oil", "Iranian fat consumption pattern", and "standard" diet on serum glucose and insulin sensitivity in Wistar rat]

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]

[Comparison of the effects of a fish-oil containing diet, a diet with a fat composition based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet on pathologic changes in the wistar rat liver]

Information of the effects of different types of fat on liver pathology is limited. The present study was designed to compare the effects of a fish-oil containing diet, a diet with a fat composition based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet on pathologic changes in the Wistar rat liver. Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of three diets: a standard diet [containing soy bean-oil], a diet containing fish oil, and one containing mixed oil based on the Iranian population fatty acid intake. Dams in each group were fed one of the diets during pregnancy and lactation, and the pups were weaned onto the same diet. Hepato-cellular pathology in pups was assessed on days 21 and 70 postnatal. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software and Kruskal-Wallis test. Fish oil-fed and Iranian mixed oil-fed pups showed more ductular cell hyperplasia on day 70 postnatal, as compared to the soy bean oil-fed pups [p=0.005]. The pathologic changes increased from day 21 to day 70 in all the 3 groups [p=0.002]. The magnitude of the increase was significant in the fish oil-fed rats [p=0.007]. A diet containing fish oil as the only fat source and a diet with the Iranian population fatty acid intake pattern may lead to pathologic changes in the rat liver. It seems this adverse effect increases by age of the animal