Manganese, iron and lipid interactions in rats.

The interactive effects of manganese, iron and lipid on mineral status, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity and lipoprotein composition were investigated by feeding weanling rats two levels of manganese (0.4 or 56 micrograms Mn/g diet), two levels of iron (29 or 109 micrograms Fe/g diet) and either 12% high-linoleic acid safflower oil or 12% high-oleic acid safflower oil for 8 wk. Rats fed the manganese-deficient diets had decreased heart MnSOD activity; depressed tibia and kidney manganese concentrations; lowered plasma and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL protein and HDL apo E concentrations; and elevated HDL protein/cholesterol ratios. Ingestion of supplemental iron slightly decreased heart MnSOD activity and tibia and kidney manganese concentrations but had no effect on hematocrits or on plasma and HDL cholesterol levels. Rats fed the linoleic acid-rich rather than the oleic acid-rich oil had increased heart MnSOD activity but had unchanged plasma and HDL cholesterol levels. The decrease in plasma and HDL cholesterol levels with manganese deficiency appeared not to be a result of increased lipid peroxidation but may have resulted from decreased cholesterol synthesis and/or secretion.