The effect of protein deficiency on some rat liver lipid metabolic enzymes and CoA

Depletion of delta 9 desaturase (EC 1.14.99.5) activity in lactating rat during protein restriction

The effects of protein restriction on the activity of delta9 desaturase (EC 1.14.99.5) were investigated in lactating rats. A control group was fed a balanced diet (20% casein) for 14 days, whereas the experimental groups were fed a low-protein diet (8% casein), supplemented with or without L-methionine (0.4%), for 14 days. The enzyme activity was measured by incubations of hepatic microsomal pellets with (1-14C) stearic acid. Results showed a decreased delta9 desaturase activity, after 2,7 and 14 days of depleted diet, of -50, -40 and -33% respectively, compared with control. The supplementation of the low-protein diet with 0.4% methionine, which favours food consumption as well as growth, did not improve the altered delta9 desaturase activity. Our data evidenced that delta9 desaturase activity is depleted by protein restriction during lactation, when the protein needs are high for the biosynthesis of animal tissues. This change has to be considered as a sign of depressed delta9 desaturase biosynthesis or modifications of enzymatic properties, or both.

Changes in fatty acid compositions of total serum and lipoprotein particles, in growing rats given protein-deficient diets with either hydrogenated coconut or salmon oils as fat sources

The present study examines the effects of dietary saturated (hydrogenated coconut oil) and polyunsaturated (salmon oil) fats on the composition and metabolism of lipoproteins in growing rats fed on protein-deficient diets. Four groups of rats were fed on the following diets for 28 d: 200 g casein + 50 g coconut oil (COC)/kg, 20 g casein + 50 g coconut oil (COd)/kg, 200 g casein + 50 g salmon oil (SAC)/kg, 20 g casein + 50 g salmon oil (SAd)/kg. Both protein-deficient groups exhibited low concentrations of protein and triacylglycerol (in serum, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein-high-density lipoprotein, (LDL-HDL1) and HDL2-3), of cholesterol (in LDL-HDL1) and of phospholipids (in VLDL). Furthermore, serum and VLDL cholesterol concentrations were also reduced in the SAd group. Compared with rats given 200 g casein/kg diets, those fed on low-protein diets presented lower linoleic and arachidonic acid levels, in serum phospholipids and a dramatic decrease in the polyunsaturated: saturated fatty acid value. Relative amounts of linoleic and arachidonic acids in phospholipids of VLDL and HDL2-3 were also lowered in the COd group but not in the SAd group. However, proportions of 22:5n-6 and 22:6n-3 in VLDL and HDL2-3 phospholipid fractions were enhanced in the COd and SAd groups respectively. The most affected apolipoproteins (apo) were apo B100 and apo B48 in rats fed on protein-deficient diets, apo AI and apo E in the COd group, and apo AIV in the SAd group. Compared with rats fed hydrogenated coconut oil diets, those fed salmon oil diets had enhanced LDL-HDL1 and HDL2-3 but lower VLDL total apolipoproteins (mainly due to a fall in apo B100 and apo B48). Arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids, which are impaired by protein deficiency, are the precursors of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes which are implicated in a number of regulatory processes. Our results demonstrate that protein malnutrition is associated with impaired metabolism of arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. Protein malnutrition and essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency are characterized by many common clinical features and the link between the two may be an impaired production of eicosanoids, since arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids are the precursors of these important metabolic regulators. Because of the apparent involvement of EFA deficiency in the aetiology of protein malnutrition, it may be prudent to include adequate amounts of EFA in diets of infants suffering from kwashiorkor.

Depletion of delta 9 desaturase (EC 1.14.99.5) enzyme activity in growing rat during dietary protein restriction

The effects of protein restriction on delta 9 desaturase (EC 1.14.99.5) activity were studied in growing rats. A control group was fed on a balanced diet (200 g casein/kg; BD) for 28 d. The experimental group was fed on the low-protein diet (20 g casein/kg; LP) for 26 d, then refed the balanced diet (BD-R) for 2 d. Rats were born to and suckled from normally fed dams. The enzyme activity was measured after 2 and 14 d of LP, and 26 d of LP plus 2 d of BD-R, by incubations in vitro of hepatic microsomal pellets with [1-14C]steric acid. The results indicated a decreased delta 9 desaturase activity after 2 and 14 d of LP of -33 and -43% respectively. Refeeding for 2 d was sufficient to super-repair this activity (+66%). The fatty acid composition of total liver lipids and microsomal phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) and phosphatidylcholines (PC) were also investigated; 18:0 decreased in total liver lipids at 14 d of LP, when 18:1n-9 increased. Stearic acid (18:0) increased in PC at 2 d of LP and in PE at 14 d of LP; oleic acid (18:1n-9) did not change. Therefore, it is concluded that a defect occurred in the bioconversion of 18:0 into 18:1n-9 by delta 9 desaturation during protein depletion. As oleic acid is accumulated in total liver lipids during LP, we speculate that this is due to a decreased oxidation or transport of this fatty acid.

Time-course effects of protein malnutrition on hepatic fatty acids delta 6 and delta 5 desaturation in the growing rat

1. In growing rats, the time-course effects of giving a normal-protein diet (200 g casein/kg; NP) for 52 d, a low-protein diet (20 g casein/kg; LP) for 52 d and a LP diet for 26 d followed by balanced refeeding (200 g casein/kg; BR) for 26 d, on the fatty acid composition of liver total lipids and microsomal phospholipids were investigated together with delta 6- and delta 5-microsomal desaturase activities. 2. The oleic acid content (mg/g tissue) of liver total lipids increased progressively with the LP diet, while linoleic acid was increased only at days 7 and 52. 20:3 omega 6, 20:4 omega 6, 22:5 omega 6 and 22:6 omega 3 fatty acids decreased during the period on the LP diet. BR for 7 d was sufficient to restore the fatty acid composition of total lipids to control values. Changes in the fatty acid composition of liver microsomal L-alpha-phosphatidylcholines were observed only after 52 d on the LP diet; the proportions (% w/w total fatty acids) of 18:0, 20:3 omega 6 and 20:4 omega 6 fatty acids decreased while oleic acid increased. The fatty acid composition of L-alpha-phosphatidylethanolamines was less affected. 3. delta 6- and delta 5-desaturase activities decreased to 20-30% of their original values after 2 d on the LP diet; a smaller deficit prevailed after 14 d but disappeared after 25 d, to appear again after 52 d. As early as day 2 of BR, desaturase activities were greatly recovered and returned to control values at day 13. 4. The present work shows that modifications in microsomal delta 6- and delta 5-desaturase activities are not strictly paralleled by the changes in the composition of fatty acids of liver total lipids and microsomal phospholipids.