Role of plasma fatty acids, prostaglandins and antioxidant balance in bovine mastitis.
Plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) were measured in cows with mastitis. FFA levels are known to be elevated in milk of affected cows, and similar increases were now observed in blood plasma. Of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which serve as precursors for prostaglandins (PGs), leukotrienes (LT) and related eicosanoids, arachidonic acid (C20: 4 omega-6) was elevated by 156 per cent and C20: 3 (consisting of both omega-3 and omega-6) 153 per cent; eicosapentaenoic acid (20: 5 omega-3), not present in the plasma of healthy animals, was detected in blood of mastitic animals. Arachidonic acid correlated positively with the plasma levels of PGs. Total plasma phospholipids were increased as well, and they were positively correlated with the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids. Changes in FFA levels correlated positively with parameters of inflammation, like bovine serum albumin and serum N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, but negatively with the antioxidant status of the animals (vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase). As PGs and LTs are mediators of inflammation, and products of lipid peroxidation, the increase of plasma FFA could be related to tissue damage caused by oxygen free radicals. Similar processes are, however, involved also in host defence, e.g. in oxidative killing of pathogens.
Atroshi
F
F
Rizzo
A
A
Kangasniemi
R
R
Sankari
S
S
Työppönen
T
T
Osterman
T
T
Parantainen
J
J
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000097:blood*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000097:blood*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000032:analysis; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D005227:Fatty Acids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014810:Vitamin E; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase; D005978:Glutathione