title: Dietary triacylglycerols with palmitic acid in the sn-2 position modulate levels of N-acylethanolamides in rat tissues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several evidences suggest that the position of palmitic acid (PA) in dietary triacylglycerol (TAG) influences different biological functions. We aimed at evaluating whether dietary fat with highly enriched (87%) PA in sn-2 position (Hsn-2 PA), by increasing PA incorporation into tissue phospholipids (PL), modifies fatty acid profile and biosynthesis of fatty acid-derived bioactive lipids, such as endocannabinoids and their congeners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were fed for 5 weeks diets containing Hsn-2 PA or fat with PA randomly distributed in TAG with 18.8% PA in sn-2 position (Lsn-2 PA), and similar total PA concentration. Fatty acid profile in different lipid fractions, endocannabinoids and congeners were measured in intestine, liver, visceral adipose tissue, muscle and brain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rats on Hsn-2 PA diet had lower levels of anandamide with concomitant increase of its congener palmitoylethanolamide and its precursor PA into visceral adipose tissue phospholipids. In addition, we found an increase of oleoylethanolamide, an avid PPAR alpha ligand, in liver, muscle and brain, associated to higher levels of its precursor oleic acid in liver and muscle, probably derived by elongation and further delta 9 desaturation of PA. Changes in endocannabinoids and congeners were associated to a decrease of circulating TNF alpha after LPS challenge, and to an improved feed efficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary Hsn-2 PA, by modifying endocannabinoids and congeners biosynthesis in different tissues may potentially concur in the physiological regulation of energy metabolism, brain function and body fat distribution.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carta
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Murru
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lisai
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirigu
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collu
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Batetta
authors.affiliation: Loders Croklaan Europe, Wormerveer, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gambelli
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari Italy.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banni
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; C022203:N-acylethanolamines; D014280:Triglycerides; D019308:Palmitic Acid