Oxidation of the geometric isomers of delta 9,12-octadecadienoic acid by rat liver mitochondria

Cyclic fatty acid monomers from heated oil modify the activities of lipid synthesizing and oxidizing enzymes in rat liver

Cyclic fatty acid monomers purified from a heated linseed oil were given for 2 wk to adult rats as triacylglycerol at two dose levels, i.e., 0.1 and 1 g/100 g diet, to determine their effect on some aspects of lipid metabolism. Indirect evidence of a peroxisome proliferator-like effect was observed, as determined by an elevation of some characteristic enzyme activities, such as peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase, and the microsomal omega- but also (omega-1)-laurate hydroxylase (CYP4A1 and CYP2E1, respectively). The dietary cyclic fatty acids induced a coordinated regulation between the activities of the lipogenic enzymes studied (Delta9-desaturase, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase) and peroxisomal oxidation, but not with mitochondrial beta-oxidation. The dose-dependent decrease of Delta9-desaturase activity (P < 0.05) with cyclic fatty acid monomer intake was accompanied by a similar decrease of the monounsaturated fatty acid level in liver. The increase in the gamma-linolenic acid level also suggested an increase in Delta6-desaturase activity with cyclic fatty acid intake (P < 0.05). In addition, our results strongly suggested that the altered liver levels of eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids were due to the peroxisomal retroconversion process in rats fed cyclic acids. Finally, an effect of these cyclic compounds on the carbohydrate metabolism cannot be disregarded because they decreased liver glycogen concentration. We conclude that cyclic fatty acid monomers affect different aspects of lipid metabolism, including a phenotypic peroxisome proliferator response. This provides the ground for further studies investigating the biochemical pathways that underlie the nutritional effect of such molecules.

Oxidative metabolism of [1-14C] mono-trans isomers of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids in the rat

Trans polyunsaturated fatty acids are formed during processing of vegetable oils such as deodorization and frying. The oxidative metabolism of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids and of their mono-trans isomers (9cis,12trans-18:2, 9trans,12cis-18:2 and 9cis, 12cis,15trans-18:3, 9trans,12cis,15cis-18:3, respectively) was studied in fasting rats. A single dose of 18.5 MBq of each [1-14C] labelled fatty acid (260 microg) was orally given to the animals. The 14CO2 expired was monitored during 24 h. Radioactive countings of the CO2-trapping agent were performed at regular intervals up to 24 h after oral administration of the radiolabelled fatty acid. Radioactive countings were also performed on several tissues (liver, heart, brain, kidneys, sus-epidydimal fat, gastrocnemian muscle, gastrointestinal tract and carcass). The 14CO2 production 24 h after oral administration of the fatty acid ranged from 55.5% to 68.7% of the radioactivity administered for the C18:2 isomers and from 69.7% to 73.5% for the C18:3 fatty acids. From 6 to 24 h, 14CO2 recovery was significantly higher after oral administration of 9cis, 12trans-18:2 than after giving both other octadecadienoic isomers. 14C retention per gram of tissue in the liver and in the heart was significantly lower after feeding 9cis,12trans-18:2 than after administration of both other C18:2 isomers. 14C retention per gram of tissue in the muscle was significantly lower after administration of both trans C18:2 isomers compared to linoleic acid. Neither 14CO2 recoveries nor 14C retentions were significantly different after administration of the three octadecatrienoic acids. The difference observed in 14CO2 recovery within the dienes was probably not due to a higher specificity of the enzymes involved in the beta-oxidation sequence for the Delta12trans double bond, as previously reported. Indeed, due to the labelling of the fatty acids on the carboxyl end, 14C values recorded in the CO2-trapping agent were only due to the first cycle of beta-oxidation.

Desaturation of isomeric trans-octadecenoic acids by rat liver microsomes

Desaturation of twelve labeled positional isomers of trans-18 : 1 acids was investigated using enzymes of liver microsomes from essential-fatty-acid-deficient rats. Oleic acid was used as model for comparison and for optimizing the incubation conditions. Each positional isomer desaturated at a unique rate. The trans-6- and trans-13-octadecenoic acids gave mostly trans-6, cis-9- and cis-9,-trans-13-18 : 2 acids, respectively. The trans-5-isomer gave mostly cis-5, cis-9-18 : 2 acid. The trans-4-isomer gave a mixture of trans-4, cis-9- + cis-4, cis-9-18 : 2, trans-11-isomer gave cis-9, trans-11- + cis-9, cis-11-18 : 2; trans-12-isomer gave cis-9, trans-12- + cis-9, cis-12-18 : 2, and trans-14-isomer have cis-9,-trans-14- + cis-9, cis-14-18 : 2 acid. The trans-8-, trans-9-, and trans-10-isomers were not measurably desaturated. The site of desaturation of the trans-18 : 1 isomer was the 9-position, indicating action of delta 9 desaturase. Thus the isomeric trans-18 : 1 acids present in partially hydrogenated fats can be converted to cis, trans- or trans, cis- and cis, cis-18 : 2 isomers, and trans-18 : 1 isomers in food may have effects upon metabolic control because of the products derived from them.