title: Rapid alterations of serum fatty acids with the intravenous administration of an arachidonate solution.
abstract: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to possess a considerable anti-tumor and anti-bacterial effect in vitro. In an attempt to achieve serum concentrations of these acids similar to those applied in vitro, a solution of ethyl ester of arachidonic acid (AA) was administered intravenously at 25 mg/kg within 10 min in six male rabbits. Blood samples were collected before and 60 min after infusion from catheters inserted in the hepatic veins and in the carotid artery. Analysis of serum fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Elevated concentrations of elongated fatty acids were detected in the hepatic veins after infusion. Mean concentrations of arachidonate in the hepatic veins and the carotid arteries after infusion of AA were 2.77 and 3.73 microM, respectively. It is concluded that the intravenous administration of a solution of AA might result in increased hepatic biosynthesis of serum saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of elongated carbon chains. The increasing interest for the application of PUFAs in therapeutics renders further study mandatory to clarify the significance of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatziantoniou
authors.forename: Evangelos J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Giamarellos-Bourboulis
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skiathitis
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demetzos
authors.forename: Ismini
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Donta
authors.forename: George Th
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dionyssiou-Asteriou
authors.forename: Panayotis E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Karayannacos
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Giamarellou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid