Comparison of the metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid and its delta 6 desaturation product, stearidonic acid, in cultured NIH-3T3 cells

Lipids. 1993 Mar;28(3):163-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02536634.

Abstract

The incorporation and metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) and its delta 6 desaturase product, stearidonic acid (18:4n-3), were compared by NIH-3T3 cells. In the presence of fetal calf serum, cells accumulated exogenously added 18:3n-3 and 18:4n-3 apparently at the expense of oleic acid (18:1n-9). Both 18:3n-3 and 18:4n-3 were elongated and desaturated to eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3), but not to docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3), and were incorporated into phospholipids and triacylglycerols. Over a 4-d period, the growth of NIH-3T3 cells was slightly stimulated in the presence of 18:3n-3 (20 micrograms/mL) but was strongly inhibited in the presence of 18:4n-3 at the same concentration. This inhibition may be caused by enhanced lipid peroxidation as a result of the high levels of 18:4n-3 present.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / analysis
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / analysis
  • Linolenic Acids / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / metabolism
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Linolenic Acids
  • Phospholipids
  • Triglycerides
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • docosapentaenoic acid
  • stearidonic acid