Effects of Gamma-Linolenic Acid Supplementation on Lipid Composition of Liver Microsomal Membranes

II. Fetuses from Pregnant Rats Fed a Zinc-Deficient Diet and Those from Rats Fed a Balanced One

抄録

The effects of gamma-linolenic acid on essential fatty acid metabolism has been studied in fetuses from pregnant rats fed a zinc-deficient diet and in those from pregnant rats fed a balanced diet. Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation was in the form of evening primrose oil (EPO), and the study of lipid metabolism was carried out in liver microsomes. Pregnant rats were fed one of four diets: zinc-deficient (ZD), zinc-deficient+evening primrose oil (ZD+EPO), zinc-adequate (Control, C), and zinc adequate+evening primrose oil (C+EPO).
In control groups (C and C+EPO) and deficient groups (ZD and ZD+EPO), gamma-linolenic acid supplementation had no effect on either zinc concentration in liver or Δ⁶ desaturation. All products of in vivo Δ⁶ desaturation were also not modified. Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation did not have much effect on essential fatty acid metabolism or on the distribution between n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid families. It was noticed, however, that the phosphatidylcholine level was enhanced and that the phosphatidylethanolamine level was decreased.
The results indicate that in fetuses from pregnant rats fed a zinc-deficient diet the gamma-linolenic acid supplementation affects more the distribution of phospholipids in microsomal membranes than fatty acid profiles.