Effects of different types of fat or carbohydrate sources on hyperlipidemia and obesity in laboratory animals

In Hyperlipidemia and obesity related researches, High fat diet which increased ratio of energy from fat source against total dietary energy, has been used as experimental diet. Soya oil, lard, beef tallow and shortening are mainly used as fat sources and these oils supply the energy and essential fatty acids for animal growth and maintenance. According to the special purpose of experiment, hyperlipidemia and obesity is caused in animals being fed on high fat diet for a long time High fat diet for laboratory animal experiment related to obesity is a result of using several different types of fat and carbohydrate sources. The aim of the present study was to investigate the body weight gain, changes of blood parameters and changes of internal organs. A total of eighty SD rats and eighty C57BL/6 mice, 6 weeks of age, were allocated into 6 groups, 10 heads in each group, and fed the high fat diet 45 (HFD45; 45% of total dietary energy are based on fat), HFD60 (HFD60; 60% of total dietary are supplied by fat)for 8 weeks. Each experimental diet is as below; HFD45L (lard as fat source), □HFD60L, □HFD45B (beef tallow as fat source), □HFD60B diet, □HFD45C (corn starch as carbohydrate source) □HFD60C, □HFD45S (substituted corn starch with sucrose) and □HFD60S. There was no significant difference in bodyweight gain and blood parameters between HFD60L and HFD60B group of rats and mice. However, HFD45L group showed an increasing tendency in body weight and plasma TG concentration compared to HFD45B group. Meanwhile, HFD45S and HFD60S groups slightly increased the body weight gain and plasma TG compared to HFD45C and HFD60C groups. In summary, it is important to note that fat and carbohydrate sources should be properly selected and formulated, and be precisely considered for the experimental purpose.