<i>Trans</i>–<i>trans</i> Conjugated Linoleic Acid Enriched Soybean Oil Reduces Fatty Liver and Lowers Serum Cholesterol in Obese Zucker Rats

Abstract

Abstract Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collection of octadecadienoic fatty acids that have been shown to possess numerous health benefits. The CLA used in our study was produced by the photoisomerization of soybean oil and consists of about 20% CLA; this CLA consists of 75% trans – trans (a mixture of t8,t10; t9,t11; t10,t12) isomers. This method could be readily used to increase the CLA content of all soybean oil used as a food ingredient. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of trans – trans CLA‐rich soy oil, fed as a dietary supplement, on body composition, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and markers of glucose control and liver function of obese fa/fa Zucker rats. The trans – trans CLA‐rich soy oil lowered the serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels by 41 and 50%, respectively, when compared to obese controls. Trans – trans CLA‐rich soy oil supplementation also lowered the liver lipid content significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) with a concomitant decrease in the liver weight in the obese rats. In addition, glycated hemoglobin values were improved in the group receiving CLA‐enriched soybean oil in comparison to the obese control. PPAR‐γ expression in white adipose tissue was unchanged. In conclusion, trans – trans CLA‐rich soy oil was effective in lowering total liver lipids and serum cholesterol.