title: Comparison of the metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid and its delta 6 desaturation product, stearidonic acid, in cultured NIH-3T3 cells.
abstract: The incorporation and metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) and its delta 6 desaturase product, stearidonic acid (18:4n-3), were compared by NIH-3T3 cells. In the presence of fetal calf serum, cells accumulated exogenously added 18:3n-3 and 18:4n-3 apparently at the expense of oleic acid (18:1n-9). Both 18:3n-3 and 18:4n-3 were elongated and desaturated to eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3), but not to docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3), and were incorporated into phospholipids and triacylglycerols. Over a 4-d period, the growth of NIH-3T3 cells was slightly stimulated in the presence of 18:3n-3 (20 micrograms/mL) but was strongly inhibited in the presence of 18:4n-3 at the same concentration. This inhibition may be caused by enhanced lipid peroxidation as a result of the high levels of 18:4n-3 present.
authors.affiliation: EFAMOL Research Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cantrill
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Ells
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Horrobin
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid; C062895:stearidonic acid