Soybean oil linked to weight gain in mice ^{CEFR A2}

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside studied soybean oil and published results in the Journal of Lipid Research. In the experiment, most mice on a high-fat soybean oil diet gained weight. A group of genetically engineered mice did not gain weight on the same diet.

The engineered mice made a different form of a liver protein called HNF4α. In humans, this alternate form usually appears during chronic illness or metabolic stress such as fasting or alcoholic fatty liver. The engineered animals had fewer oxylipins in their livers. Oxylipins come from linoleic acid and are linked to inflammation and fat.

Soybean oil use rose five-fold from about 2% to nearly 10% of calories. The team also saw higher cholesterol in mice and has no human trials planned.