Detergent induced changes in serum lipid composition in rats.

The influence of in vivo administration of detergents on serum lipid composition was studied in rats. Male Wistar rats received 50 mg Emulgen 913 (polyoxyethylene nonylphenylether, a nonionic detergent) or SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate, an anionic detergent) per kg of body weight intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. Emulgen 913 and SDS administration increased the level of cholesterol esters and phospholipids, respectively. But Emulgen 913 administration reduced the level of triglycerides in the serum, and SDS administration reduced also the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. In spite of the changes in serum lipid composition, the administration of these detergents did not affect the amount of total lipids in rat serum. The proportion of palmitic, oleic, and docosahexaenoic acids in phospholipids was decreased by the administration of Emulgen 913 while the level of arachidonic acid was raised. However, the level SDS administration had no effect on the fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids. On the other hand, both Emulgen 913 and SDS administration showed an effect on the fatty acid composition of triglycerides. It is postulated that liver damage due to administration of detergents is responsible for the changes in serum lipid and fatty acid composition in detergent-treated rats.