Influence De L'acide α-Linolénique Alimentaire Sur La Conversion Des Acides Linoléique Et γ-Linolénique [1-14C] En Arachidonate Chez Le RatIn Vivo

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Abstract
The effects of α-linolenic acid (9-12-15 octadecadienoic) upon the conversion in vivo of [1-14C] linoleic acid and of [1-14C] γ-linolenic acid into arachidonate have been studied in adult rats. The two tracers have been administered by stomach tubing and the amounts of [14C]-radioactivity incorporated into arachidonate in the liver, kidneys and whole rat have been measured 48 h later. Three experiments have been carried out on rats fed on α-linolenic acid containing diets prior to the radioactive tubing. In these diets, α-linolenic acid was brought either as ethyl ester or in the form of Primor oil (erucic acid free rapeseed oil). In all of them, the ratio α-linolenic acid : linoleic acid did not exceed 0.45. Control animals were fed, in the same conditions, ethyl oleate or peanut oil respectively. Comparing the α-linolenic acid fed-rats to the control animals, we were able to observe the following results: (1) The exogenous supplies of α-linolenic acid used in the diets have not brought about any significant alteration in the amounts (weights) of arachidonic acid present in the liver, kidneys and whole animal. (2) Using [1-14C] linoleic acid as a precursor, the amounts of [14C]-radioactivity incorporated into arachidonate in the same organs as well as in the whole rat have been significantly lowered by dietary α-linolenate. (3) α-Linolenate, on the contrary, had no significant effect upon the amounts of radioactivity incorporated into hepatic, renal and whole body arachidonate following the administration of [1-14C] γ-linolenic acid. These results lead to the conclusion that α-linolenic acid, when present in the diet of rats at a limited, physiological level, partly inhibits the desaturation of linoleic acid in vivo but does not affect the subsequent reactions in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid.

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