Effects of dietary cholesterol on hepatic metabolism of free fatty acid and secretion of VLDL in the hamster.

We reported previously that dietary cholesterol produces hepatic steatosis, increased secretion of the VLDL, and hypertriglyceridemia in the rat, the result of reduced oxidation of fatty acids, stimulation of fatty acid synthesis, and increased incorporation of fatty acid into hepatic triglyceride. The present study was conducted to determine whether these regulatory actions of dietary cholesterol on fatty acid metabolism also occur in the Golden Syrian hamster. In the hamster, dietary cholesterol (0.5%) induced hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Incorporation of [1-14C] oleate into plasma and hepatic triglyceride was enhanced by dietary cholesterol. Experiments with perfused livers confirmed the stimulatory effect of dietary cholesterol on synthesis and secretion of VLDL-triglyceride and other lipids. These data indicate that increased formation of triglyceride in response to dietary cholesterol is not confined to the rat but may be a more general phenomenon.