Desaturation of linoleic acid in the small bowel is increased by short-term fasting and by dietary content of linoleic acid

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The rate of desaturation of linoleic acid (18:2(n − 6)) and level of arachidonic acid (20:4(n − 6)) in mucosal microsomes from small intestine of rats fasted for 24 h or fed diets of different fatty acid composition was examined. Fasting or feeding a diet high in linoleic acid increased Δ6-desaturase activity, a rate-limiting enzyme in the arachidonic acid biosynthetic pathway in the jejunum. After fasting, Δ6-desaturase activity was also enhanced in the ileum. Feeding a diet rich in n − 3 fatty acids had no significant effect on Δ6-desaturase activity in jejunal or ileal mucosal microsomes. Following fasting, arachidonic acid content of microsomal total phospholipids increased in the jejunum with a concomitant decrease in linoleic acid content. Arachidonic acid and 18:2(n − 6) concentration remained unchanged in ileal microsomes after short-term food withdrawal. Feeding a diet containing n − 3 fatty acids lowered the content of 20:4(n − 6) and increased 20:5(n − 3) and 22:6(n − 3) levels in both jejunal and ileal microsomes. These data indicate that the level of 20:4(n − 6) and the biosynthesis of 20:4(n − 6) by desaturation-chain elongation of 18:2(n − 6) in the rat enterocyte responds rapidly to change in physiological conditions such as fasting and dietary fat composition.

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