Comparison of the effects of a fish-oil containing diet, a diet with a fat composition based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet on pathologic changes in the Wistar rat liver

Information of the effects of different types of fat on liver pathology are limited. The present study was designed to compare the effects of a fish-oil containing diet, a diet with a fat composition based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet on pathologic changes in the Wistar rat liver. Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of three diets: a standard diet (containing soy bean-oil), a diet containing fish oil, and one containing mixed oil based on the Iranian population fatty acid intake. Dams in each group were fed one of the diets during pregnancy and lactation, and the pups were weaned onto the same diet. Hepato-cellular pathology in pups was assessed on days 21 and 70 postnatal. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software and Kruskal-Wallis test. Fish oil-fed and Iranian mixed oil-fed pups showed more ductular cell hyperplasia on day 70 postnatal, as compared to the soy bean oil-fed pups (p=0.005). The pathologic changes increased from day 21 to day 70 in all the 3 groups (p=0.002). The magnitude of the increase was significant in the fish oil-fed rats (p=0.007). A diet containing fish oil as the only fat source and a diet with the Iranian population fatty acid intake pattern may lead to pathologic changes in the rat liver. It seems this adverse effect increases by age of the animal.