Oxidative desaturation of alpha-linoleic, linoleic, and stearic acids by human liver microsomes

The desaturation of stearic, linoleic, and alpha-linolenic acids by human liver microsomes were studied. The microsomes were isolated from liver biopsies obtained during operation. It was shown that human liver microsomes are able to desaturate 1-14-C-alpha-linoleic acid to octadeca-6,9,12,15,-telraenoic acid: 1-15-C-linoleic acid to gammalinolenic acid; and 1-14-C-stearic acid to oleic acid in the same system described in the rat. However, the desaturation activity obtained was low compared to other mammals. This effect was attributed to fasting, pre-medication, or the anaesthesia.