Arachidonic acid deficiency in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

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Abstract
Fatty acid compositions of phospholipids of heart, liver, kidney, aorta and serum from rats having streptozotocin-induced diabetes were determined and compared with those of nondiabetic controls. Linoleic and dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic acids were increased while arachidonic acid was decreased in most tissues, suggesting an impairment of .DELTA.-5-desaturase activity. Acids derived from linolenic acid were increased in some diabetic tissues from diabetic animals although the linolenic content was normal, indicating less impairment in the desaturation of the .omega.3 series of fatty acids. Diabetes suppressed all polyunsaturated acids in the whole animal, but the competition between .omega.3 and .omega.6 acids favored the excessive suppression of long-chain .omega.6 acids and an increase in the proportion of .omega.3 acids in lipids of vital tissues. These changes in fatty acid composition of the phospholipids may have significant effects on cellular functions and vasoregulatory control mechanisms in diabetes.