title: Liver desaturase activities and FA composition in monkeys. Effect of a low-protein diet.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to measure delta9-, delta6-, and delta5-desaturase activities in liver microsomes, as well as phospholipid FA composition of liver and erythrocytes in monkeys fed a control or low-protein diet during the postweaning period. Ten Saimiri sciureus boliviensis (Cebidae) of both sexes were employed; at 12 mon of age they were separated into two groups fed ad libitum on a control or a low-protein diet for 24 mon. Saimiri sciureus had active delta9, delta6, and delta5 liver desaturase enzymes, and these activities were influenced by the diet. A low-protein diet produced a significant reduction in delta5-desaturation capacity, an increase in delta9-desaturase activity, and no change in delta6-desaturase activity (P < 0.05). These changes, evoked by protein deprivation, were reflected in the liver phospholipid FA composition. Increases in the proportion of saturated FA and in monounsaturated oleic acid (18:1n-9) and a decrease in the proportion of PUFA of the n-6 and n-3 series were produced in the animals fed a low-protein diet (P < 0.0001).
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. mmarin@atlas.med.unlp.edu.ar
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.forename: Héctor M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Pucciarelli
authors.forename: María J T
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: de Alaniz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry; D012453:Saimiri; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D005227:Fatty Acids; D010743:Phospholipids; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase