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Whole-body utilization of n-3 PUFA in n-6 PUFA-deficient rats
Richard P Bazinet1, Holly Douglas, Stephen C Cunnane
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario MS 3E2, Canada. richard.bazinet@utoronto.ca
Abstract:
We evaluated the utilization of a-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) in growing rats consuming a diet deficient in n-6 PUFA. After 90 d, whole-body 18:3n-3 accumulation was 55% lower, total n-3 PUFA accumulation was 21% lower, and 18:3n-3 disappearance was 14% higher in n-6 PUFA-deficient rats. Part of the reduction of whole-body 18:3n-3 in n-6 PUFA-deficient rats was due to the 25% increase in net conversion of 18:3n-3 to long-chain n-3 PUFA. Despite adequate 18:3n-3 intake, n-6 PUFA deficiency decreased the accumulation of 18:3n-3 and total n-3 PUFA.