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Dietary docosahexaenoic acid affects stearic acid desaturation in spontaneously hypertensive rats

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Lipids

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22∶6n−3) is an n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acid which attenuates the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The effects of DHA on delta-9-desaturase activity in hepatic microsomes and fatty acid composition were examined in young SHR. Two groups of SHR were fed either a DHA-enriched diet or a control diet for 6 wk. Desaturase activity and fatty acid composition were determined in hepatic microsomes following the dietary treatments. Delta-9-desaturase activity was decreased by 53% in DHA-fed SHR and was accompanied by an increase in 16∶0 and a reduction in 16∶1n−7 content in hepatic microsomes. The DHA diet also increased the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (20∶5n−3) and DHA. The n−6 fatty acid content was also affected in DHA-fed SHR as reflected by a decrease in gamma-linolenic acid (18∶3n−6), arachidonic acid (20∶5n−6), adrenic acid (22∶4n−6), and docosapentaenoic acid (22∶5n−6). A higher proportion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20∶3n−6) and a lower proportion of 20∶4n−6 is indicative of impaired delta-5-desaturase activity. The alterations in fatty acid composition and metabolism may contribute to the antihypertensive effect of DHA previously reported.

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Abbreviations

CO:

control diet

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

eicosapentaenoic acid

SHR:

spontaneously hypertensive rats

WKY:

Wistar Kyoto

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, 2 Kirkham St. Room N631, Box 0610, 94143-0610, San Francisco, California

    Marguerite M. Engler & Mary B. Engler

  2. Université de Bourgogne, Faculté des Sciences Mirande, UPRES Lipides et Nutrition, BP 47870, 21078, Dijon Cedex, France

    Sandrine H. Bellenger-Germain, Michel M. Narce & Jean-Pierre G. Poisson

Authors
  1. Marguerite M. Engler
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  2. Sandrine H. Bellenger-Germain
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  3. Mary B. Engler
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  4. Michel M. Narce
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  5. Jean-Pierre G. Poisson
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Correspondence to Marguerite M. Engler.

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Engler, M.M., Bellenger-Germain, S.H., Engler, M.B. et al. Dietary docosahexaenoic acid affects stearic acid desaturation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Lipids 35, 1011–1015 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-000-0612-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-000-0612-0

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