title: Effects of gamma-linolenic acid supplementation on lipogenesis regulation in pregnant zinc-deficient rat and fetus.
abstract: In the liver of zinc-deficient pregnant rats fatty acid synthetase and delta 9-desaturase activities decreased and diet supplementation with gamma-linolenic acid potentiated this effect. However, in liver microsomes from the foetuses of zinc-deficient mothers, HMG CoA reductase and delta 9-desaturase activities declined but fatty acid activity rose. The same applied to foetuses from mothers whose diet was supplemented with gamma-linolenic acid and here again, the effect of zinc deficiency was potentiated. The fact that delta 9 activity dropped whereas fatty acid synthetase activity rose implied a defect in the mechanism regulating the functioning of these enzymes. In the non zinc-deficient group of pregnant females, gamma-linolenic acid supplementation had no effect on fatty acid synthetase and delta 9-desaturase activities but significantly increased HMG CoA reductase activity. In foetuses from the same group, the activities of MHG CoA reductase, delta 9-desaturase and fatty acid synthetase all increased.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism*; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; C029627:delta-9 fatty acid desaturase; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases; D015032:Zinc