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Fatty acid desaturation in the intestinal mucosa
M L Garg1, M Keelan, A B Thomson
1Department of Foods and Nutrition, Faculty of Home Economics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|January 19, 1988
Summary
Rat small intestine possesses fatty acid desaturase activity, converting essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. This finding is crucial for understanding intestinal arachidonic acid synthesis and enterocyte membrane properties.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Limited information exists on enterocyte fatty acid desaturation capabilities.
- Understanding the source of intestinal arachidonic acid (20:4(n-6)) is crucial, differentiating between biliary sources and de novo synthesis.
- Fatty acid desaturation influences cell membrane properties and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and activity of delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase enzymes in rat small intestine.
- To determine if enterocytes can synthesize fatty acids, contributing to the understanding of arachidonic acid metabolism.
- To assess the role of these enzymes in enterocyte membrane characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Assay of delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase enzyme activities in homogenates of rat jejunum, ileum, and liver.
- Measurement of fatty acid conversion rates, specifically palmitic (16:0) to palmitoleic (16:1) and linoleic (18:2(n-6)) to linolenic (18:3(n-6)).
Main Results:
- Rat small intestine exhibits desaturase activity, capable of converting palmitic acid and linoleic acid.
- Enzyme activities were detected in both jejunum and ileum, though generally lower than in the liver.
- The liver demonstrated the highest relative desaturase enzyme activity compared to the small intestine.
Conclusions:
- Enterocytes possess functional delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase enzymes.
- These desaturase activities in the small intestine may contribute to de novo synthesis of fatty acids.
- Enterocyte desaturase activity likely influences membrane physico-chemical and transport properties.