The Effects Of Trans Fatty Acids On ADMA/NOS/NO And Platelet Function In Rabbits

Objective:Many epidemiological studies indicated that atherosclerosis could be induced by high intake of trans fatty acids (TFA), but its mechanisms were still not clear. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether high TFA intake would damage endothelial and platelet function, as well as fatty-acid constitution ratios of erythrocyte membrane in rabbits.Method:Thirty two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8): control group (C) with common feed; high trans fatty acids group (TFA) with additional TFA 5.0g/kg.d; high-fat group (HF) with high cholesterol feed (2% cholesterol, 7.5% egg yolk powder and 8% lard oil) and TFA+HF group.The fasting serum lipids, platelet-activating factor (PAF), p-selectin, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), NO concentration and NOS activity were detected at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks. And 7 kinds of cris-fatty acids and 2 kinds of TFA in erythrocyte membrane were determined at the same time,as well as constitution ratios of them were measured。Results:1.Compared with C group, the TFA group had obviously higher serum ADMA, but lower NOS activity and NO lever. Above-mentioned parameters were no significant differences between TFA and HF group.2.Platelet count was no significant differences among the 4 groups, but serum PAF and p-selectin were significantly higher in TFA group than in C group. These two parameters were no differences between TFA and HF group, but PAF and p-selectin were obviously higher in TFA+HF than HF group.3.Compared with the C group, the constitution ratios of t-C18:1, t-C16:1 and saturated fatty acids were obviously higher, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane were obviously lower in TFA group. The constitution ratios of fat acids in HF group were similar to those in TFA, but more abnormal changes were showed in TFA+HF group.4.The serum TC and LDL-C increased, but HDL-C decreased at 8 weeks in TFA group.Conclusions:1.High TFA intake could lead to endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation. These effects were equivalent with the effects of high cholesterol intake. Combined with TFA and high cholesterol intake had obviously synergistic effects. Endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation induced by TFA were no significant association with serum lipid changes.2.High TFA intake was not only increase TFA and saturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane, but also decreases polyunsaturated fatty acids, especiallyω-3 fatty acids. These changes might be related to vascular endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation.