Effects of dietary fatty acid composition on macronutrient selection and synaptosomal fatty acid composition in rats

Our previous work showed that rats consuming 20% (wt/wt) lard diets selected more protein and less carbohydrate than did rats fed 20% (wt/wt) soybean oil diets. To determine if this effect is specific to saturated fat source and to measure changes in fatty acid composition of synaptosomal phospholipids, male Wistar rats were fed a 20% (wt/wt) soybean oil or tallow diet with 24% protein and 48% carbohydrate for 2 wk. Rats then self-selected from two diets with the same fat previously fed but different protein and carbohydrate composition (5% protein, 67% carbohydrate and 55% protein, 17% carbohydrate). Tallow-fed rats selected more protein and less carbohydrate than did soybean oil-fed rats. Dietary fat also affected fatty acid composition of synaptosomal phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine being most affected and phosphatidylinositol most resistant. Later studies determined if selection differences were due to taste. When rats self-selected without prior exposure to diets, tallow-fed rats selected more protein and less carbohydrate than did soybean oil-fed rats during the last 2 wk but not the first 2 wk. When rats selected from diets with identical protein and carbohydrate composition but different dietary fat, rats consumed slightly greater amounts of the tallow diet at each protein level. The relative intake of tallow and soybean oil diets, however, did not vary significantly with dietary protein treatment. These results confirm that rats fed saturated fat diets select more protein and less carbohydrate than do rats fed polyunsaturated fat diets and suggest this difference is not due to taste factors.     

Metabolic fate of ethylenethiourea in pregnant rats

Summary Metabolic fate of ETU was investigated in the rats administered orally 100 mg/ kg of C14-ETU on the twelfth day of gestation.ETU was absorbed readily from the gastrointestinal tract and passed away from the whole body tissues including the fetus rapidly. Only the exception was the thyroid gland and the radio-activity was accumulated in the gland. Most of the administered activity(80.2%,4,5-C¹⁴-ETU) was eliminated into the urine in 24 hr and the tissues(including the fetus) levels of radioactivity from 2-C¹⁴ -ETU reached maximal within 2 hr and fell down to negligible levels by 24 hr.Radiocarbon(s)of 4,5-C¹⁴-ETU was expired as radioactive carbon dioxide and was incorporated into the serum and fetal cell constituents(crude protein fraction),but that of 2-C¹⁴-ETU was neither expired or incorporated into the cell constituents.From the fetus extract ETU and several radioactive metabolites were detected.     

Phospholipid fatty acid composition and protein kinase C activity in the large intestine of rats fed on butter and coconut-oil diets

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been proposed to play an important role in the aetiology of colon cancer. Therefore, we investigated whether the amount and type of saturated fat could affect colonic PKC activity by modifying either mucosal phospholipid fatty acid composition or faecal diacylglycerol production. Male Wistar rats (n 13 per group) were fed on diets containing butter or coconut oil at energy levels of 10% and 43% for 4 weeks. The control group received a low-fat diet providing 10% of energy from sunflowerseed oil. PKC activity was higher in the distal than the proximal colon but the quantity or type of fat did not alter PKC activity in either region of the colon. Saturated fats caused moderate changes in the fatty acid composition of caecal phospholipids, which were more obvious in the phosphatidylethanolamine than in the phosphatidylcholine fraction. A significant correlation was found between fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine and membrane PKC activity. In particular, there was a positive correlation between the proportion of saturated 14:0 and 18:0 and increased PKC activity while unsaturated 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6 and 16:1n-7 were inversely correlated with PKC activity. No relationship was found between phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acids and PKC activity. Concentration of faecal diacylglycerol was not affected by the diet. Overall the data suggest that diets high in saturated fat may not alter colonic PKC activity to a significant extent.     

Metabolic fate of earthworm cadmium-binding proteins in rats

Three different molecular weight cadmium-binding proteins isolated from the earthworm,Eisenia foetida, were injected intraperitoneally into young female rats. Cadmium bound to earthworm protein-I (estimated molecular weight, 63,000–70,000 daltons) and -II (estimated molecular weight about 7,000 daltons) was recovered from the kidney supernatants as metallothionein, which indicated that the proteins were degraded and that the cadmium liberated from the degraded proteins induced metallothionein biosynthesis in the kidneys. However, cadmium bound to earthworm protein-III (estimated apparent molecular weight about 2,000 daltons) was recovered primarily from urine as a form bound to the protein. Compared with cadmium bound to albumin, metallothionein, and the low molecular weight cadmium-binding protein in Chlorella, the metabolic fates of cadmium bound to the three earthworm proteins were explained by the differences of molecular sizes and stability constants. Induced metallothioneins showed different Chromatographic properties with time after injections on a Sephadex G-75 column and on a gel permeation column (TSK GEL SW 3,000).     

Short-chain fatty acid formation in the hindgut of rats fed oligosaccharides varying in monomeric composition, degree of polymerisation and solubility

The contents of short-chain fatty acids were investigated in rats fed lactitol, lactulose and four fructo-oligosaccharides of different degree of polymerisation and solubility. Fructo-oligosaccharides with a low degree of polymerisation (2-8) generated the highest levels of butyric acid all along the hindgut, whereas fructo-oligosaccharides with a high degree of polymerisation (10-60) generated the highest levels of propionic acid. These specific differences were also generally reflected in the caecal pools and molar proportions of short-chain fatty acids. The lower solubility of the fructo-oligosaccharides was related to a lower degree of caecal fermentation. Lactulose and lactitol yielded high proportions of acetic acid and low proportions of butyric acid. It is concluded that both the degree of polymerisation and the solubility may affect short-chain fatty acid formation, whereas the fructose content per se seem to be of less importance. This may be of interest when designing foods with specific health effects.     

Folic acid utilization from high fiber diets in rats

This study was designed to examine the effect of several sources of dietary fiber on the utilization of folic acid added to the diets of rats. Weanling rats were given a low folacin basal diet for 21 days, divided into various groups and then fed folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid) and/or fiber-supplemented diets for 7 or 8 days. The slope of the liver folacin response was measured as an indicator for utilization of added folic acid. Fecal folacin excretion was measured as an indicator of unabsorbed dietary folacin plus folacin synthesis by intestinal bacteria. There was no detectable effect of cellulose, xylan, pectin or wheat bran on the utilization of added folic acid. Liver and fecal folacin content indicated that some fiber sources contributed additional available folacin to the animals from intestinal synthesis or naturally occurring folacin. Cellulose acted as a simple dietary dilutant and had no significant effect on the utilization of added folic acid or total fecal folacin excretion. Xylan stimulated intestinal folacin synthesis, and this was reflected in higher fecal and liver folacin content. Wheat bran and beans (two varieties of each) contained measurable folacin or stimulated synthesis of bacterial folacin, which appeared to be available to the rat.     

Plasma very low density lipoproteins from male rats fed casein or soybean protein diets: a comparison of fatty acid composition and influence on prostanoid production

In studies with male rats fed for 4 wk semipurified diets containing olive oil and casein or soybean protein, protein-dependent effects were observed in the fatty acid composition of the VLDL lipids, especially with regard to the pattern of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Compared with VLDL from rats fed soybean protein diet (S-VLDL), VLDL from casein-fed rats (C-VLDL) contained a greater level of oleic acid, and a reduced level of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, in the phosphatidylcholine fraction. The proportion of 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid, 20:3 (n-9), varied among the different lipid classes. The highest concentration of this fatty acid (13% by weight of total fatty acids) was observed in the phosphatidylinositol fraction of C-VLDL. The level of linoleic acid was approximately halved in the triacylglycerol and cholesteryl ester fractions of C-VLDL compared with S-VLDL. When mouse peritoneal macrophages were incubated with different concentrations of S-VLDL, a saturable accumulation of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) was observed in the cell medium. In contrast, very low levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 were observed in the cell medium of macrophages incubated with C-VLDL at different lipoprotein concentrations, suggesting that the composition of VLDL may play an important role in relation to cellular prostanoid metabolism.     

Effect of methyl linoleate administration on phospholipid fatty acid composition and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in essential fatty acid deficient rats

Methyl linoleate (18:2 omega 6) was administered to rats deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) and the effects on osmotic fragility and lipid composition of their red blood cells were studied. Even if they remained deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, the fragile red cells of EFA-deficient rats were remarkably strengthened by the linoleate treatment. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are not essential for the maintenance of cell membrane integrity in rats. Since the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in red cells was lower in untreated than in treated rats, it is suggested that this factor might be responsible in part for the higher fragility of red cells in EFA-deficient rats. Despite the prolonged administration of overload quantities of methyl linoleate, the proportion of 18:2 omega 6 in the red blood cell phospholipids of treated rats was actually lower than that in rats fed a regular stock diet, while the relative content of other omega-6 fatty acids (20:4 omega 6, 22:4 omega 6, and 22:5 omega 6) increased. These results indicate that the metabolic processes of omega-6 fatty acids in treated rats were stimulated, probably as a result of the lack of competition from omega-3 fatty acids for the same enzyme systems.     

Effect of methyl linoleate administration on phospholipid fatty acid composition and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in essential fatty acid deficient rats.

Methyl linoleate (18:2 omega 6) was administered to rats deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) and the effects on osmotic fragility and lipid composition of their red blood cells were studied. Even if they remained deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, the fragile red cells of EFA-deficient rats were remarkably strengthened by the linoleate treatment. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are not essential for the maintenance of cell membrane integrity in rats. Since the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in red cells was lower in untreated than in treated rats, it is suggested that this factor might be responsible in part for the higher fragility of red cells in EFA-deficient rats. Despite the prolonged administration of overload quantities of methyl linoleate, the proportion of 18:2 omega 6 in the red blood cell phospholipids of treated rats was actually lower than that in rats fed a regular stock diet, while the relative content of other omega-6 fatty acids (20:4 omega 6, 22:4 omega 6, and 22:5 omega 6) increased. These results indicate that the metabolic processes of omega-6 fatty acids in treated rats were stimulated, probably as a result of the lack of competition from omega-3 fatty acids for the same enzyme systems.     

Gray and white matter brain volume in aged rats raised on n-3 fatty acid deficient diets

Omega-3 or n-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid, are important structural lipids in the brain. Their deficiency leads to a number of sensory, cognitive and behavioral effects. In previous studies, we showed that n-3 deficiency led to a decrease in the neuronal size of a number of brain regions in young rats. In particular, the neuronal size in the hippocampus CA1-CA3 layers decreased with a slight increase in the volumes of these layers. Therefore, we asked whether fatty acid deficiency could affect rat brain morphology in older animals. To address this question, we carried out gross morphological analysis using Magnetic Resonance Imaging on the gray and white matter volumes of brains in older rats (> 15 months) that were raised on n-3 deficient diets for three generations. We did not detect any differences in the total or regional gray and white matter volumes of brains of old rats maintained on a n-3 deficient or supplemented diet.     

Changes of fatty acid composition in pancreas of rats fed inadequate dietary protein

Rats fed deficient dients and supplemented with lysine and threonine significantly affected the fatty acid composition of the pancreas as compared to rats fed casein diet. The major fatty acids indentified include C_16:0, C_16:1, C_18:0, C_18:1, C_18:2 and C_20:4 in total, PC and PE fractions of the pancreas. C_16:1 was found to be absent in PC and PE fraction. The degree of saturation and unsaturation of rats which can be correlated with various membrane functions showed a definite pattern in the three different diet fed rats.     

发育期补充鱼油对大鼠脑内脂肪酸组成及神经递质的影响

为观察发育期补充二十二碳六烯酸对大鼠脑内脂肪酸代谢和部分神经递质的变化,将孕鼠分为４组：正常对照组组（Ｏ）、添加ＤＨＡ的低（Ｌ）、中（Ｍ）、高（Ｈ）剂量组,于基础饲料中分别添加鱼油０、１７．５、３５和７０ｍｌ／ｋｇ,实验组饲料中的ＤＨＡ含量分别为７．５、１５和３０ｇ／ｋｇ。     

Essential fatty acid-rich diets protect against striatal oxidative damage induced by quinolinic acid in rats

Essential fatty acids have an important effect on oxidative stress-related diseases. The Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurologic disorder in which oxidative stress caused by free radicals is an important damage mechanism. The HD experimental model induced by quinolinic acid (QUIN) has been widely used to evaluate therapeutic effects of antioxidant compounds. The aim of this study was to test whether the fatty acid content in olive- or fish-oil-rich diet prevents against QUIN-related oxidative damage in rats. Rats were fed during 20 days with an olive- or a fish-oil-rich diet (15% w/w). Posterior to diet period, rats were striatally microinjected with QUIN (240?nmol/µl) or saline solution. Then, we evaluated the neurological damage, oxidative status, and gamma isoform of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) expression. Results showed that fatty acid-rich diet, mainly by fish oil, reduced circling behavior, prevented the fall in GABA levels, increased PPARγ expression, and prevented oxidative damage in striatal tissue. In addition none of the enriched diets exerted changes neither on triglycerides or cholesterol blood levels, nor or hepatic function. This study suggests that olive- and fish-oil-rich diets exert neuroprotective effects.     

Metabolic partitioning of endogenous fatty acid in adipocytes

OBJECTIVE: To develop an accurate new method to measure the partitioning of adipocyte endogenous fatty acids among different metabolic pathways, a critical step toward understanding the regulatory mechanism by which fat disposition is modulated. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Isolated primary rat adipocytes were pre-incubated with isotope-labeled fatty acids. This allows determination of the specific activity of labeled fatty acids in the endogenous lipid pool. After the removal of exogenous fatty acids, the disposition of endogenous fatty acids into the three major metabolic pathways, namely, oxidation, re-esterification, and release into the medium, was measured independently. This was compared with the total lipolytic release of endogenous fatty acids, as measured by glycerol release. Adipocytes from normal fed and fasted animals were used to determine the effects of physiological variations on the metabolic fate of endogenous fatty acids. RESULTS: In normal fed animals, 0.2% of endogenous fatty acids were oxidized, 50.1% were released, and 49.7% were re-esterified. Fasting doubled the partitioning of fatty acids toward oxidation (p < 0.05) in association with increased lipolysis (1.4-fold increase) (p < 0.05). This effect was completely abolished by the addition of insulin to the cells (61% reduction) (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The endogenous fatty acids in adipocytes are actively oxidized. This process can be regulated by altered physiological conditions or by insulin. Over time, it is possible that a small shift of fatty acids toward oxidation could have a significant impact on body fuel economy. This hypothesis needs to be tested.