Contrasting Effects of Low or High Copper Intake on Rat Tissue Lipid Essential Fatty Acid Composition

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Abstract
The effects of low Cu intake or Cu supplementation on the metabolism of stearic acid have been studied previously, but their effects on essential fatty acids have not been reported. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 12 wk on pelleted semi-synthetic diets containing < 1 mg/kg Cu (low Cu), 6 mg/kg (Cu control), or 250 mg/kg Cu (Cu supplemented). The fatty acid composition of the total phospholipids and trigylcerides of plasma, liver, heart and adipose tissue was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. In low Cu rats compared to controls, palmitic and oleic acids were decreased but stearic acid and docosahexanoic acid were increased in plasma, liver and heart phospholipids. Arachidonic acid was also increased in plasma and liver phospholipids in low Cu rats. In liver triglycerides, linoleic and arachidonic acids were increased but palmitic and oleic acid were decreased in low Cu rats. Cu supplementation had the opposite effect; palmitic and oleic acids were increased in phospholipids and triglycerides whereas essential fatty acids were generally decreased. Hence, Cu not only has a direct effect on the desaturation of stearic acid but also has significant effects on the tissue lipid composition of essential fatty acids.