High density lipoproteins fatty acid composition

The typical sunflower oil composition is 66-72% linoleic acid, 12% saturated acids (palmitic and stearic), 16-20% oleic acid, and less than 1% a-linolenic acid. An increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a decrease of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are believed risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). Diets rich in saturated fat increase plasma total and LDL-C. Traditional high-linoleic sunflower oil has always been regarded as healthy because of its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and relatively low content in saturated fatty acids. 

Figure 26-18 Exogenous lipoprotein metabolism pathway. TG, Triglyceride CE, cholesterol ester FC, free cholesterol Ft, phospholipids HDL, hIgh-density lipoproteins FA, fatty acid LPL, lipoprotein lipase 6, apolipoprotein B-48 A, apolipoprotein A-i C, apolipoprotein C-ll , apolipoprotein E. (From Rifai N. Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins Composition, metabolism, and association with coronary heart disease. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1986 10 694-701. Copyright 1986, American Medical Association.)...

Lipids with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered desirable by many nutritionists because these lipids help to maintain low levels of blood cholesterol and favorable levels of serum high density lipoproteins. Many efforts are now directed at modification of the fatty acid composition in plants, especially the composition of seed oils (5). Genetic improvement of soybean oil is an especially desirable goal since the small amount of a-linolenic acid present in the oil causes flavor instability. 

Tsutsui, T. and Obara, T. 1979. Lipid and fatty acid composition of low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein of egg yolk, Nippon Shokuhin Kogyo Gakkaishi, 26, 81. 

The fatty acid composition of the low density and high density lipoprotein classes is... 

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