Polyenylphosphatidylcholine decreases alcoholic hyperlipemia without affecting the alcohol-induced rise of HDL-cholesterol

In ethanol-fed rats, supplementation of the diet with soybean polyenylphosphatidylcholine (3 g/liter for 21 days) markedly decreased postprandial VLDL-triglycerides and both VLDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels, whereas it maintained high levels of HDL-cholesterol, compared to an equivalent intake of choline and polyunsaturated fatty acids. By contrast, there were no changes in the serum lipoproteins of the pair-fed controls. The prevention of alcoholic hypertriglyceridemia was associated with marked attenuation of the alcoholic fatty liver and it occurred despite a slight increase in fat absorption. Thus, the administration of polyenylphosphatidylcholine not only attenuates the hepatotoxicity of ethanol, but also increases the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio, which may be beneficial for the prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.