Metabolism of Isomers of Linoleic and Linolenic Acids.

Abstract

Rats which had been on fat free diet 10-12 mos. were fed orally 40 mg. daily doses of fatty esters for 2 mos. Total lipids were isolated from the animals'' bodies and polyunsaturated fatty acids estimated spectrophotometrically. Unnatural trans isomers of essential fatty acids were converted to polyunsaturated acids in the rat, but deficiency symptoms were not alleviated. Conjugated linoleic acid worsened symptoms and caused decreased body fat and polyunsaturates. Natural linoleate cured symptoms and linoleate and linolenate caused best wt. gains. Unnatural isomers (trans) of linoleic and linolenic acids are converted to spectrally detectable forms in the animal which are not biologically active.