Molecular species of diacylphosphatidylethanolamine in rat and mouse heart given the same diet

Diacylphosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was isolated from mouse and rat heart given the same standard diet. The molecular species of PE were determined after conversion of PE into diglycerides by means of hydrolysis with phospholipase C, subsequent hydrolysis with pancreatic lipase and separation of the products by argentation TLC and capillary gaschromatography. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3) containing molecular species and arachidonic acid (20:4n6) containing molecular species represented the major fractions. A preference for stearic acid to combine with poly-unsaturated fatty acids was found. Despite an abundant presence of linoleic acid (18:2n6) in the diet, molecular species containing this fatty acid represented only a minor fraction. The possible physico-chemical and physiological meaning of the presence of molecular species containing many double bonds is discussed.