Early diet influences hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase and 7α-hydroxylase mRNA but not low-density lipoprotein receptor mRNA during development

Abstract Plasma cholesterol levels increase after birth, and to a greater extent in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants. This increase is believed to be due to the high fat and cholesterol content of the infant diet, but little is known about the effects of early diet on the expression of proteins involved in regulating cholesterol metabolism. This study examined changes in the expression of hepatic proteins regulating cholesterol metabolism during development. Newborn piglets were fed sow milk or one of four formulas for 18 days. The formulas had similar levels of palmitic acid (16:0) as in milk, supplied as palm olein oil with 16:0 esterified predominantly to the sn -1,3 position or as synthesized triglyceride (TG) with 16:0 esterified mainly to the sn -2 position of glycerol, each with no cholesterol ( P P