The Göttingen minipig as a model for postprandial hyperlipidaemia in man: Experimental observations

Postprandial hyperlipidaemia is believed to be atherogenic. This study aimed to establish a minipig model to investigate determinants of postprandial lipid metabolism. In a randomized cross-over design seven minipigs were subjected to six different feeding regimens: intragastric fat loads of 1, 2, and 4g fat (Intralipid®, 20%) kg^-1 in two fractions 1.5 h apart (1/3 first, 2/3 second), 2 g fat (Intralipid®) kg^-1 in one fraction, and 2g olive oil kg^-1 in two fractions, all after pre-feeding with standard diet, and finally 2g fat (Intralipid®) kg^-1 in two fractions without pre-feeding. Blood was sampled before and hourly for 7 h after gavaging, and plasma triglycerides were measured. Triglycerides increased significantly in all the feeding regimens (P < 0.001), except when olive oil was used as the fat source. A borderline significant dose-response effect of the Intralipid® dose on the triglyceride response was observed. We found no significant differences in triglyceride response whether 2g fat (Intralipid®) kg^-1 was given in one or two fractions, with or without pre-feeding. We conclude that postprandial hyperlipidaemia in minipigs can be induced by gavaging an emulgated lipid solution (1-4g fat/kg, Intralipid®), while olive oil is not applicable. There is no need to administer the fat fractionated or to withhold food prior to administration.