Action of Linoleic and Arachidonic Acids upon the Eicosatrienoic Acid Level in Rat Heart and Liver

Abstract

The effects of dietary linoleate and arachidonate on eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid concentration in heart and liver lipids of essential fatty acid-deficient rats were investigated. Pyridoxine deficiency and 4-deoxypyridoxine · HCl addition to the diet were also investigated to reduce the conversion of linoleic into arachidonic acid and thus differentiate the effects produced by both acids. The addition of 4-deoxypyridoxine was observed not to impair the conversion of oleic into eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid, but it appeared to reduce slightly the conversion of linoleic into arachidonic acid. Arachidonate was shown to be a specific regulator of eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid percentage in heart and liver lipids, whereas linoleate appeared to require its previous conversion into arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid effect on eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic concentration discards the competence of both synthesis: linoleate into arachidonate and oleate into eicosatrienoate as the possible regulating mechanism.