CHANGES IN LEVELS OF PLASMA TOTAL CHOLESTEROL, TRIACYLGLYCEROL AND PHOSPHOLIPID IN MICE FED ERABU SEA SNAKE (LATICAUDA SEMIFASCIATA) LIPIDS DIET

The effects of dietary Erabu sea snake lipids on changes in plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid levels of male Crlj : CD-1 (ICR) mice was evaluated. Mice were fed three different experimental diets containing 6% lard, 6% Erabu sea snake lipid and 6% fish oil, respectively. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipid levels in plasma collected at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 were measured. Levels of plasma total cholesterol and phospholipids in the sea snake dietary group were significantly reduced at weeks 8-16 from the start of the trial, and plasma triacylglycerol was significantly reduced at week 16, while those in the lard dietary group remained unchanged and/or increased during the period of feeding trial. Plasma total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were significantly lower in sea snake lipids as well as fish oil dietary groups than in the lard dietary group at weeks 4–16. The results suggest that Erabu sea snake lipids rapidly induce reduction of plasma lipid levels at week 4 and reduction of plasma lipids and glucose in mice fed the sea snake lipids diet was influenced by the presence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the feed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Erabu sea snake lipids have large amounts of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a lowering-effect on levels of plasma and hepatic total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, phospholipid and plasma glucose in mice similar to fish oil. The sea snake lipids may serve as a beneficial food with regard to lipid and glucose metabolism.