The incorporation and utilization of radiolabelled lipids by adult Schistosoma mansoni in vitro

Live adult Schistosoma mansoni, maintained in vitro were able to absorb and utilize radiolabelled arachidonic acid, linolenic acid, 3-sn-phosphatidylcholine, tripalmitylgylcerol and cholesterol in the culture medium. Differential centrifugation demonstrated that all these lipids were incorporated into the parasite's various membrane structures. Analysis by thin-layer chromatography of the labelled compounds which resulted from incubation with the labelled lipids revealed that arachidonic acid, linolenic acid and fatty acids of tripalmitylglyceron and 3-sn-phosphatidylcholine was present largely as triacylglycerol with smaller amounts of labelled diacylglycerol, phospholipids and fatty acids. The labelled polar head group of 3-sn-phosphatidylcholine was cleaved from the molecule during incorporation, which suggested that hydrolysis of complex lipids is an integral part of the absorption mechanism. Cholesterol was not apparently altered during incorporation or further metabolized. It was also observed that arachidonic acid was incorporated more readily than the other lipids, however, no prostaglandin biosynthesis was detected.     

Macrophage fatty acid composition and phagocytosis: effect of unsaturation on cellular phagocytic activity.

In order to manipulate the physical properties of the macrophages membrane, methods were developed which potentiated the incorporation of exogenously supplied fatty acids into membrane lipids. Chromatograms of macrophages which were grown in the presence of a variety of fatty acids demonstrated that exogenously supplied unsaturated fatty acids (palmitoleic, oleic, elaidic, linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids) were readily incorporated into the cells and selectively altered the fatty acyl composition of macrophage phospholipids. Up to 38% of the total cellular phospholipids were found to be derived from the exogenously added fatty acid supplements. The incorporation of the different fatty acids into cellular phospholipids had striking effects on cellular phagocytic activity. These effects were found to correlate with the degree of unsaturation, and the cis- or trans-double bond configuration. Thus, macrophage phagocytic ingestion rates of 125I-labelled Shigella flexneri were found to alter by more than 2-fold after the cells were cultivated in the presence of cis unsaturated fatty acids.     

Rapid uptake and esterification of arachidonic acid and other fatty acids by microfilariae of Brugia malayi

We have examined the differential incorporation and esterification of exogenous fatty acids by microfilariae of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. Microfilariae incubated with 2 nM [3H]arachidonic acid over 1 h rapidly took up this fatty acid. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were also incorporated by parasites. In contrast to these other fatty acids, little incorporated arachidonic acid remained as free fatty acid within microfilariae. Arachidonate was rapidly esterified into phospholipids, with 66% of incorporated arachidonate esterified into phospholipids at 1 min. Esterification of other fatty acids into phospholipids was quantitatively lesser and occurred into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Arachidonate was preferentially esterified into phosphatidylinositol, which constituted only 10% of the total parasite phospholipid pool, and into phosphatidylcholine. By 1 min these two phospholipid classes, respectively, comprised 53% and 43% of [3H]arachidonyl-phospholipids. Neither the microfilarial incorporation of arachidonate nor its esterification into parasite phospholipids could be saturated by noncytotoxic concentrations of up to 600 microM. Microfilariae, which in vivo are exposed to arachidonate in blood, can rapidly, avidly and with high capacity incorporate exogenous arachidonate and esterify it preferentially into specific classes of phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositol. Like many mammalian cells, these phylogenetically distinct metazoan parasites possess efficient means for utilizing host-derived arachidonic acid.     

Incorporation and distribution of eicosanoid precursor fatty acids in murine fibroblasts in culture

Murine fibroblasts in culture were labelled with either [14C]arachidonic acid, [14C]dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid or [14C]eicosapentaenoic acid. All these [14C]fatty acids were effectively incorporated into the fibroblasts and the bulk of the radioactivity was recovered in various phospholipids. The major radiolabelled phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and the phosphatidylinositol + phosphatidylserine fraction. Significant amounts of radiolabel were found also in the triacylglycerols: even as much as 30% of the total of the incorporated dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid was recovered in the triacylglycerols. The present study suggests that arachidonic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are effectively taken up and esterified into different lipid fractions of murine fibroblasts and that also the triacylglycerols are significantly involved in the incorporation, storage, and release of the eicosanoid precursor fatty acids.     

Accumulation of arachidonate in triacylglycerols and unesterified fatty acids during ischemia and reflow in the isolated rat heart. Correlation with the loss of contractile function and the development of calcium overload.

Alterations in triacylglycerol and phospholipid metabolism are known to occur during the evolution of myocardial ischemic injury. The purpose of this study was to explore potential relationships between the accumulation of arachidonic acid and other fatty acids, the accumulation of triacylglycerol, and the progression of myocardial injury. Measurements of the fatty acid levels in triacylglycerol, unesterified fatty acids, and calcium content were correlated with myocardial function during ischemia and ischemia with reflow in an isolated perfused rat heart preparation. After 10 minutes of ischemia in this model, myocardial dysfunction was reversible, with recovery of left ventricular +dP/dt to 82.0% +/- 4.8% of control values upon reperfusion. Hearts did not recover with reperfusion after 30 minutes of ischemia and displayed a significant increase in tissue calcium content. A significant, nearly threefold increase in the arachidonic acid content of triacylglycerol was found after 10 minutes of ischemia and continued to increase with longer periods of ischemia and reflow. Other fatty acids also showed increased levels in triacylglycerol. The time course of accumulation of unesterified arachidonic acid paralleled the loss of myocardial function. Levels of free arachidonic acid were (in nanomoles per gram wet weight) 11.1 +/- 2.1 (SEM) for control hearts, 17.3 +/- 1.9 after 10 minutes of ischemia, and 38.4 +/- 2.5 after 30 minutes of ischemia. Increases in other free fatty acids contributed to a significant increase in total free fatty acid accumulation after 30 minutes of ischemia. Thus, the content of arachidonic and other fatty acids in triacylglycerol was found to increase early during ischemia, and a major increase in free arachidonic and other unesterified fatty acids occurred after a longer period of ischemia. These findings are consistent with an initial reincorporation of free fatty acids into triacylglycerol after release from membrane phospholipids, suggesting that membrane fatty acids may be a major source of triacylglycerol that accumulates in ischemic myocardium. In addition, these results suggest that a major increase in free fatty acids during ischemia and ischemia with reflow correlates temporally with the development of severe contractile dysfunction and accumulation of calcium in the heart.     

Uptake and esterification of arachidonic acid by trophozoites of Giardia lamblia

Although trophozoites of Giardia lamblia have not been demonstrated to possess the capacity for synthesis of phospholipids, these protozoan parasites would be exposed to fatty acids within the human small intestine. We have evaluated the metabolic incorporation of arachidonic and palmitic acids by Giardia trophozoites. Trophozoites (2.25 X 10(6)) were incubated with 12 nM [3H]fatty acid for up to 60 min. Uptake of [3H]arachidonate by trophozoites was rapid, increasing from 37% at 1 min to 65% at 10 min. Uptake of palmitate was rapid but less extensive. In contrast to palmitate, almost all of the trophozoite-associated [3H]arachidonate was esterified into phospholipids and neutral lipids. By 1 and 60 min 37% and 82% of [3H]arachidonate, respectively, were incorporated into phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. Peak incorporation of [3H]arachidonate into phosphatidylcholine (30 mmol [3H]fatty acid (mol phospholipid)-1) occurred at 60 min; whereas incorporation into the pool of phosphatidylinositol, which accounted for only 4% of trophozoite phospholipid, was maximal at 10 min (190 mmol [3H]fatty acid (mol phospholipid)-1) and declined significantly thereafter as arachidonic acid was released from phosphatidylinositol. Therefore, Giardia trophozoites not only utilize exogenous fatty acids in the formation of glycerolipids but also preferentially incorporate arachidonic acid into a metabolically active pool of phosphatidylinositol.     

Significance of fatty acids in pregnancy-induced immunosuppression.

Pregnancy can exert suppressive effects on chronic inflammatory conditions. We have previously demonstrated a depression in polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) respiratory burst during pregnancy which could explain this amelioration. To elucidate the biochemical mechanism, we have examined PMN phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and its relationship to cellular and circulating fatty acids in pregnant women (30 to 34 weeks) and nonpregnant controls. PMN PLA2 activity was determined by arachidonic acid (AA) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) release, respiratory burst activity was determined by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, and total serum and PMN fatty acid levels were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. AA release was significantly reduced for pregnancy PMNs in response to N-formyl-met-leu-phe (fMLP) under unprimed and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)- or interleukin 8-primed conditions. Similarly, LTB4 liberation was significantly reduced in response to fMLP and phorbol myristate acetate in unprimed and TNF-alpha-primed pregnancy PMNs. All major fatty acid classes were altered in the pregnant state. Of these differences in PMNs, oleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid showed a significant increase (13 and 26%, respectively) and stearic acid and AA showed a significant decrease (8 and 30%, respectively). The stearic acid, oleic acid, and AA compositions of all cells analyzed correlated with their corresponding changes in serum fatty acid levels. Crossover serum incubations modified both fatty acid profiles and the PMN respiratory burst accordingly, while individual fatty acid incorporation studies highlighted the importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids for NADPH oxidase efficiency. These findings indicate that the attenuation of PMN function in pregnancy may originate from a reduction in the available pool of cellular fatty acids. Furthermore, this reduction arises as a direct result of a pregnancy-induced shift in circulating fatty acids from polyunsaturated to monounsaturated forms.     

Early changes in the phospholipid metabolism of lymphocytes following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin and with lysolecithin

Following stimulation of rabbit lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) [¹⁴C]oleic acid incorporation was augmented into phospholipids but not into neutral fats. The main phospholipid into which oleate was incoporated was lecithin. Stimulation of lymphocytes with lysolecithin in short-time experiments also increased the incorporation of oleate into lecithin. The distribution of the labeled fatty acids in the newly formed lecithin molecules was determined using snake venom phospholipase A. Of the incorporated oleate 80 % was found in position 1 of the glycerol moiety both in unstimulated and stimulated lymphocytes. In addition to natural [1-acyl]-lysolecithin a sythetic non-metabolized lysolecithin analogue also effected lymphocyte stimulation, suggesting that exogenous lysolecithin acts not as a substrate for lysolecithin-acyltransferase. Microsomal membranes of normal and stimulated lymphocytes were examined for enzyme ectivities involved in the incorporation of long-chain fatty acids into phospholipids especially (a) fatty acid: CoA-ligase, (b) lysolecithin-acyltransferase, (c) phospholipase A and (d) lysophospholipase. After 3 h of cultivation with PHA, fatty acid: CoA-ligase (which is rate-limiting for the incorporation of oleate into phospholipids) and phospholipase A were activated. Lysolecithin produced only an activation of phospholipase A supporting the idea that oleate is incorporated by reacylation of endogenously formed [2-acyl]-lysolecithin and consistent with our findings that de novo synthesis of phospholipids, as measured by [¹⁴C]choline uptake, is low during the early phase of stimulation.     

Magnesium deprivation or short-term essential fatty acid deficiency in rats: effects on serum lipids, platelet fatty acid composition and arachidonic acid incorporation into platelet phospholipids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term magnesium or essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies on plasma lipids, platelet fatty acid composition and [1-14C] arachidonic acid incorporation into platelet phospholipids. Weanling rats were fed purified diets (casein 20%, sucrose 70.5%, lipid 5%) for two weeks. The control and magnesium-deficient diets included corn oil as lipid source. The EFA-deficient diet included hydrogenated coconut oil. The fatty acid composition of serum lipids confirmed the linoleic acid deprivation in the EFA-deficient group. Significant changes in platelet fatty acid composition occurred in this limited period of time and arachidonic acid incorporation into platelet lipids was markedly increased. Magnesium deficiency induced hyperlipaemia. A significant decrease in the percentage of arachidonic acid in total serum lipids was observed, but fatty acid profile appeared quite different in the two deficiencies. In magnesium-deficient rats, the alteration in fatty acid composition of serum lipids was not associated with similar changes in fatty acid composition of platelet lipids. Arachidonic acid incorporation into platelet lipids was markedly increased in magnesium deficient animals as compared to control group. Relatively more arachidonic acid was incorporated into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol when magnesium-deficient or EFA-deficient animals were compared to the control group.     

Relationship of oxidant-mediated cytotoxicity to phospholipid metabolism in endothelial cells

Exposure to oxidants permeabilizes cell membranes and liberates unesterified fatty acids (UFA) in a variety of cell types, including endothelial cells. Products of phospholipase activity, particularly UFA and lysophosphatides, possess potent detergent-like properties, and we postulated that oxidant injury might be mediated by the accumulation of these toxic phospholipase products. Several radiolabels were incorporated into defined positions in the phospholipids of cultured, confluent bovine pulmonary endothelial cells (BPAEC). The release of radiolabeled fatty acids and the accumulation of cell-associated phospholipase products were measured and compared to a standard cytotoxicity assay (51Cr release) in response to an oxidant stress, in this case 0.1 to 10 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 caused time- and dose-dependent 51Cr release as well as liberation of saturated ([14C]stearic acid) and unsaturated ([3H]arachidonic acid) fatty acids and the accumulation of phospholipase A2 and C products. The ability of BPAEC to incorporate UFA into complex phospholipids was shown to be severely impaired in the presence of H2O2. Further studies showed that H2O2 caused depletion of BPAEC adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content to undetectable levels, and that the depletion of cellular ATP by iodoacetic acid induced substantial release of [3H]arachidonic acid but not [14C]stearic acid from BPAEC. This finding suggests that release of UFA in response to an oxidant stress may be due in part to a defect in ATP-dependent reacylation pathways and need not reflect any increase in phospholipase activities. Also unsaturated fatty acids were found to be toxic to BPAEC upon adding them to supernatants of cultured monolayers.     

Incorporation of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Nanocapsules

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) encapsulated in polymeric systems are promising materials for hyperthermia treatments and targeting drug delivery in cancer therapy. To improve the encapsulation efficiency of therapeutic drugs, high amounts of fatty acids can be incorporated into the polymer matrix. The effect of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid (OA)/Crodamol (triacylglycerol of saturated fatty acids) ratio in the incorporation of MNPs in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocapsules by miniemulsion polymerization is investigated. The OA/Crodamol ratio affects polymerization kinetics, polymer microstructure, and nanocapsules morphology. Furthermore, MNPs are efficiently encapsulated in PMMA nanocapsules with high Crodamol content while preserving their super‐paramagnetic behavior with considerable magnetization saturation values.     

Eicosanoids mediate nodulation reactions to bacterial infections in larvae of the butterfly, Colias eurytheme.

Nodulation is the first, and qualitatively predominant, cellular defense reaction to bacterial infections in insects. Treating larvae of the butterfly Colias eurytheme with the eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitor dexamethasone, strongly impaired nodulation reactions to bacterial infections. The influence of dexamethasone was reversed by treating infected insects with arachidonic acid, an eicosanoid precursor. An eicosanoid biosynthesis system in C. eurytheme larvae is documented. Specifically, the presence of eicosanoid-precursor polyunsaturated fatty acids in tissue phospholipids was determined, an intracellular phospholipase A2 that can release arachidonic acid from tissue phospholipids was recorded, and eicosanoid biosynthesis, registered as conversion of exogenous radioactive 20:4n-6 into eicosanoids, was observed. These findings support the hypothesis that eicosanoids mediate cellular immune responses to bacterial infections in these butterfly larvae, and more broadly, in most, if not all, insects.     

Altered lipid metabolism in livers of rainbow trout fed cyclopropenoid fatty acids.

The incorporation of ¹⁴C-labeled fatty acids isotopic phosphorus into liver lipids of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) that had received either 200 or 300 ppm of cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA) in the diet for 14 days was studied. The amount of [³²P]O4 incorporated into liver phospholipids was lower in fish fed CPFA than in controls, with the greatest difference being in an unknown phospholipid. High levels of free [¹⁴C]oleic acid were found in livers from CPFA-fed fish after perfusion with this fatty acid, while none was detected in the controls. CPFA feeding lowered the incorporation of oleic acid into lipids of microsomal and mitochondrial fractions, but increased it in the 105,000g supernatant phospholipids. The type of dietary protein fed was shown to influence CPFA effects.     

Modulation of the eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) release from various cells and their subcellular components by phospholipids

An eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) can be released from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), rat mononuclear and rat mast cells by the calcium ionophore (A23187), during phagocytosis, by arachidonic acid and phospholipase A2. It has been suggested that stimuli such as the ionophore and the phagocytic event lead to phospholipid turnover with the generation of arachidonic acid which is subsequently transformed by a lipoxygenase-like enzyme into ECF. Addition of phospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol during ionophore stimulation of various cells increased the ECF release significantly. ECF activity is also enhanced in the presence of indomethacin at concentrations which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. With bromphenylacylbromide and eicosatetraynoic acid, ECF generation as well as the chemotaxis of eosinophils is inhibited suggesting that the phospholipase A2-arachidonic acid pathway represents a common link for ECF release as well as for the chemotaxis of eosinophils. From the cytosol of human PMN an ECF-containing enzyme was obtained. Incubation of phospholipase A2 and phospholipids with the ECF-converting enzyme led to potent ECF indicating that addition of phospholipids provides the soluble ECF-generating system with an additional source of arachidonic acid. The data represent a molecular approach to analyze the mechanisms of ECF release from soluble components after immunological triggering of the cells.     

Reversible phenotypic modulation induced by deprivation of exogenous essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acid deficiency, produced by deprivation of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, is a condition characterized by renal disease, dermatitis, and infertility. Although many of the biochemical aspects of this disorder have been investigated, little is known about the ultrastructural changes induced by essential fatty acid deficiency. Using a unique fatty acid-deficient cell line (EFD-1), which demonstrates the in vivo fatty acid changes of essential fatty acid deficiency, and the prostaglandin E2-producing mouse fibrosarcoma line from which it was derived (HSDM1C1), we correlated ultrastructural and biochemical changes induced by prolonged deprivation of all exogenous lipids and subsequent repletion of selected essential fatty acids. We found that in cells deprived of all exogenous lipids, there was dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and an associated defect in protein secretion; these changes were specifically reversed by arachidonate. There was also an accumulation of secondary lysosomes containing degraded membranes in these cells with an associated increase in phospholipids relative to parent HSDM1C1 cells. Cytoplasmic lipid bodies present in parent cells disappeared, with an associated decrease in triacylglycerol. After just 2 days in lipid-free medium, all these changes were apparent, and prostaglandin E2 production was markedly impaired despite normal amounts of cellular arachidonate. Incubation of EFD-1 cells with arachidonate, the major prostaglandin precursor fatty acid, induced a reversion to the HSDM1C1 phenotype, whereas other fatty acids were totally ineffective. These results indicate changes in fatty acid metabolism in essential fatty acid deficiency are associated with marked alterations in ultrastructure and secretion of protein from cells.     

Muscular diacylglycerol metabolism and insulin resistance

Failure of insulin to elicit an increase in glucose uptake and metabolism in target tissues such as skeletal muscle is a major characteristic of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus. A strong correlation between intramyocellular triacylglycerol concentrations and the severity of insulin resistance has been found and led to the assumption that lipid oversupply to skeletal muscle contributes to reduced insulin action. However, the molecular mechanism that links intramyocellular lipid content with the generation of muscle insulin resistance is still unclear. It appears unlikely that the neutral lipid metabolite triacylglycerol directly impairs insulin action. Hence it is believed that intermediates in fatty acid metabolism, such as fatty acyl-CoA, ceramides or diacylglycerol (DAG) link fat deposition in the muscle to compromised insulin signaling. DAG is identified as a potential mediator of lipid-induced insulin resistance, as increased DAG levels are associated with protein kinase C activation and a reduction in both insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI3 kinase activity.

As DAG is an intermediate in the synthesis of triacylglycerol from fatty acids and glycerol, its level can be lowered by either improving the oxidation of cellular fatty acids or by accelerating the incorporation of fatty acids into triacylglycerol.

This review discusses the evidence that implicates DAG being central in the development of muscular insulin resistance. Furthermore, we will discuss if and how modulation of skeletal muscle DAG levels could function as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Inhibition of platelet phospholipase-A2 as a mechanism for the anti-aggregating effect of linoleic acid

Linoleic acid was incorporated into platelet phospholipids and then released after activation of phospholipase A₂ (PL-A₂) with thrombin or ionophore A23187. The rate of this release was tenfold lower for linoleic than for arachidonic acid. This observation strongly suggests that incorporation of linoleic acid in platelet phospholipids might inhibit platelet PL-A₂ and might explain the anti-aggregating effect of linoleic acid. In fact it has also been shown that linoleic acid inhibits PL-A₂ activity at concentrations which antagonize platelet aggregation. Moreover, in experimental conditions where platelet cyclo-oxygenase is totally inhibited, aggregation does occur and can still be blocked by linoleic acid. This latter observation led to the conclusion that the anti-aggregating effect of linoleic acid is independent from prostaglandin pathway and is probably related to the phospholipid metabolism.     

The role of fatty acid metabolites in the differentiation of the human monocyte-like cell line U937

The human monocyte cell line, U937, can be induced to terminally differentiate into macrophage-like cells when treated with gamma-interferon. However, if these cells were treated with gamma-interferon and esculetin, an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase pathway, or BW755C, an inhibitor of both the lipoxygenase and the cyclooxygenase pathways, a marked inhibition in cellular differentiation occurred. In contrast, inhibitors of only the cyclooxygenase pathway had no effect on differentiation. These studies suggest a role for lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid in the differentiation of the human U937 cell line. Arachidonic acid utilized in the production of eicosanoids is derived from phospholipids by the action of phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C. When U937 cells were cultured in medium supplemented with gamma-interferon, there was a striking increase in the level of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase A2 activities and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity as compared to control cells. More ever, although there was not a significant difference in the incorporation of labeled arachidonic acid or linoleic acid into the major phospholipids of differentiated U937 cells as compared to undifferentiated control cells, there was a marked increase in the relative amount of the labeled arachidonic acid released from the differentiated cells as lipoxygenase products compared to cyclooxygenase products. These data suggest that lipoxygenase products may be essential in the differentiation process of U937 cells and that enhanced phospholipase enzyme activities that occur during differentiation help explain how arachidonic acid becomes available to form lipoxygenase products.     

Fatty acid content and pattern of spleen phospholipids and triglycerides in normal and either type-1 or type-2 diabetic rats

The fatty acid pattern of spleen phospholipids and triglycerides was examined in fed or overnight fasted normal rats, streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals (type-1 diabetes) and Goto-Kakizaki rats (type-2 diabetes). In both phospholipids and triglycerides, differences were observed in the relative contribution of several fatty acids, as well as in the ratio between distinct fatty acids, when comparing fed to fasted rats, normal to diabetic animals and male to female Goto-Kakizaki rats. Diabetes increased to a greater extent the C22:6omega3 content of phospholipids in the spleen than in either the liver or the brain. However, the diabetes-induced changes in the C22:6omega3 content of triglycerides was closely comparable in the spleen, liver and brain. These findings suggest that the incorporation of fatty acids into triglycerides is controlled by comparable regulatory factor(s), e.g. insulinemia, in the spleen, liver and brain. In the case of phospholipids, however, an apparent adaptation to diabetic stress was more marked in the spleen than in the liver, and virtually absent in the brain. The proposed dichotomy in the environmental regulation of fatty acid synthesis and incorporation into phospholipids and triglycerides was further supported by distinct diabetes-related changes in the apparent activity of Delta9-desaturase in these two classes of lipids.     

A hypothesis for the mechanism of superoxide production by phagocytic cells

When arachidonic acid is reacted with Fe2+, the Fe2+ is oxidized to Fe3+, and lipid peroxides are formed as detected by absorption at 232 nm. However, there is a large discrepancy between the amount of arachidonic acid converted to stable oxidized products and the amount of Fe2+ converted to Fe3+. We suggest that under appropriate conditions, electrons from the ferrous iron may reduce oxygen to superoxide in the presence of arachidonic acid. The results are consistent with evidence using bromophenacyl-bromide suggesting that release of fatty acids from cell phospholipids might be required for phagocytes to synthesize superoxide.