Figure 1. Line graph showing TPC concentrations (mean±SEM) measured throughout the study for each of the three experimental groups. Animals consumed monkey chow before beginning the study; zero time values reflect TPC on monkey chow. Responses to diets enriched in individual fatty acids and cholesterol (Chol) at 0.8 mg/kcal were monitored at biweekly intervals for the first 2 months after diet initiation and are plotted by diet group. Bimonthly sampling was continued thereafter. For the first 3 months plasma cholesterol responses were higher than target values, and group differences were not remarkable, so animals were returned to a chow diet (vertical lines). Groups began a different diet formulation starting at month 5 and continuing to month 21 (period 1).²⁰ Because the differences among dietary fatty acid groups were still small, animals were returned to a chow diet for 8 weeks, and then began diet period 2²⁰ (42 months), during which the fat was entirely palm oil (SAT), oleic acid–enriched safflower oil (MONO), or linoleic acid–rich safflower oil (POLY).

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