title: In vivo conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid in human adults.
abstract: Human adults are shown to be capable of conversion of linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) to arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) in vivo. It is confirmed that they can also convert alpha-linolenic acid (LNA, 18:3 n-3) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) in vivo. The time course and the maximal response for these processes during the first week after a single dose of the 18-carbon precursor is described. A stable-isotope method in which the protons of the C17 and C18 carbons are substituted with deuterium atoms is used in order to provide for a safe method for the study of human metabolism. High sensitivity and selectivity of detection is assured with negative ion, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. It is clear that human adults on an ad lib diet carry out EFA metabolism in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, USA. nsalem@niaaa.nih.gov
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pawlosky
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wegher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hibbeln
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D019787:Linoleic Acid