Production of Convulsions in Hamsters by High Butterfat Intake

Abstract

IN recent studies, the effects of triglycerides containing varying amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were tested for their effect on the circulation of the cheek pouch of the hamster. In contrast to the marked changes observed in the circulation after butterfat meals^1–3, slight or no changes were observed after sesame oil meals. In addition it was noted that 4–7 hr. after butterfat meals many of the animals developed focal and then generalized convulsive seizures. Animals receiving an equal amount of sesame oil developed no seizures. This observation could be of importance in helping to decide the relative roles of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the genesis of acute myocardial and cerebral ischæmia due to occlusive vascular disease or inadequate circulation. Since the circulatory changes and convulsions occur under the same experimental conditions and at the same time after the fat feedings, it is possible that the convulsive seizures after butter-fat meals are due to these circulatory changes. The absence of seizures after oil meals could be due to the fact that the vegetable oils, containing much more unsaturated fatty acids, affect the circulation less or not at all. This hypothesis merits serious consideration since it has already been shown in vitro that the ingestion of oils which contain considerable unsaturated fatty acids caused much less aggregation of red blood cells and chylomicra in dogs and man than the ingestion of fats which contain relatively more of the saturated fatty acids^1,4.