Synthesis and distribution of rat Sertoli cell proteoglycans are modulated by linoleate and vitamin E

In rat Sertoli cells, linoleate addition modified cell membrane fatty acid composition and changes depended on linoleate concentrations. In presence of the lowest 18:2 n-6 concentrations (2.5 and 7.5 microM), decrease in proteoglycan synthesis paralleled increase in n-6 linoleate-derived metabolites. At high concentration (21 microM), linoleate accumulated in membranes and level of n-6 linoleate-derived metabolites returned to basal value, without change in proteoglycan synthesis. Linoleate modified proteoglycan distribution in Sertoli cells by an increase in peripheral proteoglycans and a concomitant decrease in medium proteoglycans. Vitamin E (100 microM) did not alter fatty acid composition in control and linoleate-treated cells, but enhanced proteoglycan production. Furthermore, this agent counteracted linoleate-induced modifications in proteoglycan cell distribution.