No indications for altered essential fatty acid metabolism in two murine models for cystic fibrosis.
A deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFA) is frequently described in cystic fibrosis (CF), but whether this is a primary consequence of altered EFA metabolism or a secondary phenomenon is unclear. It was suggested that defective long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) synthesis contributes to the CF phenotype. To establish whether cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction affects LCPUFA synthesis, we quantified EFA metabolism in cftr-/-CAM and cftr+/+CAM mice. Effects of intestinal phenotype, diet, age, and genetic background on EFA status were evaluated in cftr-/-CAM mice, DeltaF508/DeltaF508 mice, and littermate controls. EFA metabolism was measured by 13C stable isotope methodology in vivo. EFA status was determined by gas chromatography in tissues of cftr-/-CAM mice, DeltaF508/DeltaF508 mice, littermate controls, and C57Bl/6 wild types fed chow or liquid diet. After enteral administration of [13C]EFA, arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were equally 13C-enriched in cftr-/-CAM and cftr+/+CAM mice, indicating similar EFA elongation/desaturation rates. LA, ALA, AA, and DHA concentrations were equal in pancreas, lung, and jejunum of chow-fed cftr-/-CAM and DeltaF508/DeltaF508 mice and controls. LCPUFA levels were also equal in liquid diet-weaned cftr-/-CAM mice and littermate controls, but consistently higher than in age- and diet-matched C57Bl/6 wild types. We conclude that cftr-/-CAM mice adequately absorb and metabolize EFA, indicating that CFTR dysfunction does not impair LCPUFA synthesis. A membrane EFA imbalance is not inextricably linked to the CF genotype. EFA status in murine CF models is strongly determined by genetic background.
Werner
Anniek
A
Department of Pediatrics, Center for Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, Academic Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Bongers
Marloes E J
ME
Bijvelds
Marcel J
MJ
de Jonge
Hugo R
HR
Verkade
Henkjan J
HJ
D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D009928:Organ Specificity
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator