Lipid peroxidation in different tissues: Effect of high cholesterol and fish oil in the diet

Malonyldialdehyde was measured in erythrocytes, aorta and spleen on feeding mice with high cholesterol diet in presence and absence of fish oil. Mice were grouped as: Group I: Control laboratory diet Group II: 0.16% cholesterol (sunflower oil) Group III: 1.16% cholesterol (sunflower oil) Group IV: 1.16% cholesterol (fish oil) After 7 weeks on their respective diets, erythrocytic, and splenic MDA levels were significantly higher in group III compared to controls. Also, MDA levels in aorta and spleen showed a significant increase in group IV males compared to group III males. However in group IV the erythrocyte MDA levels were almost equal to that in controls. This suggests that high cholesterol diet increases lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes, spleen and aorta. Addition of fish oil in the diet further increases lipid peroxidation in aorta and spleen, but not in the erythrocytes.