EFFECT OF SIMULTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF EPA, DHA, AND SULFUR-CONTAINING AMINO-ACIDS ON SERUM-LIPIDS IN RATS FED HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC DIETS

We investigated the effects of single and simultaneous administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and sulfur-containing amino acids such as taurine (Tau), cysteic acid (CySH), and glutathione (GSH) on serum lipids of rats. The rats were divided into eight groups; control (not containing EPA, DHA, and sulfur-containing amino acids); group I (EPA); group II (DHA); group III (EPA + DHA); group IV (Tau); group V (EPA + DHA + Tau); group VI (EPA + DHA + CySH); group VII (EPA + DHA + GSH). The animals were fed these diets for 2 weeks. Total serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in all groups, especially in group V, and phospholipid and triglyceride levels were also lowered in all groups, especially in groups V and VII. These results suggest that the simultaneous administration of EPA, DHA and sulfur-containing amino acids is more effective for lowering the serum lipid level than single administration of these substances.