Oral Administration of cis-Vaccenic Acid alters the Fatty Acid Composition of the Pancreatic and Heart Tissues

Abstract

Persimmon fruit has a characteristic fatty acid (FA) composition with a high cis-vaccenic acid (cis-VA: C18:1, n-7) ratio; however, the effect of ingesting cis-VA is unknown. Therefore, to elucidate the effect of cis-VA upon ingestion, it was orally administered to normal (C57BL/6JJcl) and diabetic (KK-A^y/TaJcl) mice for 7 d. The FA composition of each tissue was analyzed to identify the tissues in which cis-VA acts, as well as those that may be affected by FA metabolism. cis-VA administration altered the FA composition of the pancreas in normal mice and the hearts of diabetic mice. Multiple FA ratios were altered, with five FA showing common changes between the heart and pancreas. This suggests that cis-VA ingestion may affect the pancreas and heart, and cause common changes in FA metabolism. Overall, cis-VA may have unique actions that differ from those of other monounsaturated FA.