The influence of alpha-linolenic acid (18: 3omega3) on the metabolism of gamma-linolenic acid (18: 3omega6) in the rat.
1. Essential fatty acid-deficient rats were fed gamma-linolenic acid (18: 3omega6) at 2% dietary energy and alpha-linolenic acid (18: 3omega3) at 0, 1-6, 2-8 and 4-0% of the dietary energy. 2. 18: 3omega3 at 1-6% apparently inhibits the synthesis of the C20 and C22 omega6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega6 LC-PUFA) metabolized from 18: 3omega6. 3. However, increasing the dietary levels of 18: 3omega3 from 1-6 to 4-0% has no further influence. 4. The results suggest that dietary 18: 3omega6 is an efficent precursor for the omega6 LC-PUFA synthesis even in the presence of 18: 3omega3.
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids