Triacylglycerol hydroperoxides not detected in pig small intestinal epithelial cells after a diet rich in oxidized triacylglycerols.

The presence of TAG hydroperoxides in the epithelial cells of the small intestines in growing pigs was studied after they had consumed a diet rich in either nonoxidized or oxidized sunflower seed oil (PV in oils, 1 and 190 mequiv O2/kg, respectively). To obtain molecular-level information on the oxidized TAG structures, a new approach based on TLC and HPLC-electrospray ionization-MS was used in the analysis of the samples. TAG hydroperoxides were not detected in the small intestinal mucosa or adipose tissue of either group, whereas TAG hydroxides, ketones, and epoxides were detected in all samples. The results suggest that dietary TAG hydroperoxides do not lead to the appearance of these molecules in the tissues.