Western and Heart Healthy Dietary Patterns Differentially Affect the Expression of Genes Associated with Lipid Metabolism, Interferon Signaling and Inflammation in the Jejunum of Ossabaw Pigs

Overall diet quality and statin therapy are important modulators of inflammation and CAD progression, yet their effects on jejunum is not well understood. Our objective was to examine the effects and interaction of dietary patterns and statin therapy on jejunal mucosa gene expression in the Ossabaw pig. Overall design: Thirty-two Ossabaw pigs (16 boars, 16 gilts) were randomized using a 2x2 factorial design into four groups: Hearty Healthy diet (HHD); Heart Healthy diet + atorvastatin (HHD+S); Western diet (WD, also noted as Atherigenic [ARST] below); and Western diet + atorvastatin (WD+S). Heart Healthy diet (high in unsaturated fat, unrefined grain, fruits/vegetables [HHD]) or Western diet (high in saturated fat, cholesterol, refined grain [WD]), with or without atorvastatin.