SERUM LIPIDS DURING SHORT-TERM HIGH GLUCOSE AND HIGH SUCROSE FEEDING IN INFANTS

The effects of short-term high glucose and high sucrose diets on serum lipids were estimated in six healthy infants aged 4 to 11 months. Each carbohydrate-rich diet was given for 5 days and preceded by 3 days of a "normal" diet. During the high CHO feeding, sucrose or glucose supplied 73% of the total caloric intake, while on the "normal" diet only 40% for the total caloric intake was derived from CHO (glucose only). The percentage of total caloric intake supplied by protein was almost identical in the three diets used. An increase in serum triglyceride (TG) concentration, of almost equal magnitude, was seen following both high CHO feeding periods. Upon resumption of the "normal" diet, serum TG concentrations approached initial concentrations. No consistent changes occurred in total serum cholesterol concentrations or in total serum phospholipid concentrations. A significant increase in the percentage concentration of palmitoleic acid of serum triglyceride fatty acids occurred on both high CHO diets. This increase was slightly but not significantly greater following high sucrose feeding. A significant decrease in the percentage concentration of linoleic acid of serum triglyceride fatty acids occurred on both high CHO diets. This decrease was slightly but not significantly greater following high sucrose feeding. Therefore, it seems that on a short-term basis, high sucrose and high glucose feeding, in healthy infants, will result in similar changes in serum triglyceride concentrations and serum triglyceride fatty acid patterns.