www.jpccr.euORIGINAL ARTICLE Effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on development of atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLr-/- mice

Abstract: The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on development of atherosclerosis in genetically modified mice ApoE/LDLr-/- was studied. Animals were divided into 2 groups: control (standard AIN-93G diet) (n=8) and CLA (AIN-93G supplemented with 0.5 % CLA) (n=6). After 2 months of feeding plasma lipid profile, glucose concentration, liver fatty acid composition and quantification of atherosclerosis were analyzed. In the CLA group, decreased body mass was observed. Plasma total cholesterol and triacylglycerols levels were significantly higher in animals fed CLA compared to Control. There was no effect of CLA on liver and kidney weights, nor on lipid profiles of adipose tissue. Plasma glucose levels were unchanged after CLA feeding. No effect of CLA on atherosclerosis was observed. These results indicate that dietary CLA reduced body mass and increased plasma TC and TAG level. This might be caused by decrease in adipose tissue mass and increase in liver lipogenesis in ApoE/LDLr-/- mice. Key words: ApoE/LDLr-/- mice, CLA, atherosclerosi