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Biomedical subjects

M Croset

Publications and source records attributed to M Croset.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human plasma albumin transports [13C]docosahexaenoic acid in two lipid forms to blood cells.

Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) decreases blood platelet function and is highly concentrated in the brain where its depletion leads to functional impairments. Because the platelets and blood brain barrier capillary endothelium cannot hydrolyze the complex lipids for fatty acid (FA) uptake, nonesterified FA (NEFA) bound to albumin are assumed to be the delivery route of FA to these cells. The supply of 13C-labeled 22:6 to blood cells by plasma albumin was studied in humans after a single ingestion of this FA esterified in a triglyceride (TG). The 22:6 13C/12C ratio, measured by gas chromatography combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was measured in lipid classes from albumin, platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes (taken as a tentative index of the brain uptake). Nonesterified [13C]22:6 bound to albumin was rapidly produced after ingestion, as a result of the hydrolysis of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) plus chylomicron TG. We found that albumin carried another source of 22:6, lyso-phosphatidylcholines (lyso-PC), in which [13C]22:6 accumulated while the nonesterified [13C]22:6 reached its minimal plasma concentrations. Computation of the relative contribution of NEFA and lyso-PC for the [13C]22:6 delivery to platelets and erythrocytes showed that the [13C]22:6 supply to platelets occurred uniquely through NEFA, whereas this pool was weakly involved in the delivery to erythrocytes. In contrast, lyso-PC was uniquely concerned with the 22:6 delivery to erythrocytes and represented the major part of this supply. We conclude that plasma albumin carries 22:6 in two lipid forms that are involved differently in the delivery of this FA to target cells.

Biological Transport, Active

In vivo compartmental metabolism of 13C-docosahexaenoic acid, studied by gas chromatography-combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

The exchange of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) within lipid pools in rat and human has been followed as a function of time after the ingestion of triglycerides (TG) containing 22:6n-3 labeled with 13C(13C 22:6n-3). The 13C abundance in the fatty acid was measured by gas-chromatography-combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry which allowed the detection of 0.001 atom 13C percent 12C. The 13C 22:6n-3 appearance was rapid in the TG of very low density lipoprotein plus chylomicron fraction, in which the maximal labeling was observed at 3 and 2 h after ingestion in rat and human, respectively. Concomitant with the TG utilization of this fraction by lipoprotein lipase from tissues, unesterified 13C 22:6n-3 appeared in the plasma albumin. 13C 22:6n-3 bound to albumin was mostly present in unesterified form before 12 h post-ingestion while after that period, lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) bound to albumin carried higher 13C 22:6n-3 concentrations. These lyso-PC were mostly from hepatic origin and might represent a potential source of 22:6n-3 redistribution to tissues. The 13C 22:6n-3 uptake into rat brain PC and phosphatidylethanolamine was still increasing when the concentration of plasma unesterified 13C 22:6n-3 had already dropped to a minimal plateau value and during the period of maximal plasma circulation of 13C 22:6n-3-lysoPC bound to albumin. In contrast, the uptake of 13C 22:6n-3 into blood platelet PC occurred during the phase of important circulation of 13C-22:6n-3 bound to albumin, suggesting the in vivo efficiency of the Lands pathway for this fatty acid. It is concluded that 13C 22:6n-3 esterified in TG is rapidly absorbed and redistributed within plasma lipoproteins and that its redistribution within the two lipid species bound to albumin might influence its uptake by platelets and rat brain.

Animals

Retroconversion and metabolism of [13C]22:6n-3 in humans and rats after intake of a single dose of [13C]22:6n-3-triacylglycerols.

The apparent retroconversion of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) to eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) was studied in vivo, in rats and humans, after they ingested a single dose of triacylglycerols containing [13C]22:6n-3 ([13C]22:6-triacylglycerol), without 22:6n-3 dietary supplementation. The amount of apparent retroconversion and the distribution of the three n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in plasma lipid classes were followed as a function of time by measuring the appearance of 13C in these PUFAs with gas-chromatography combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. This [13C]22:6n-3 retroconversion, calculated by summing the amounts of [13C]22:5n-3 and [13C]20:5n-3 in plasma lipids, was lower in humans than in rats, reaching a maximum of approximately 9% of the total plasma [13C]22:6n-3 in rats, but only 1.4% in humans. The incorporation of [13C]22:6n-3 and [13C]22:5n-3 in lipid classes followed their endogenous distribution with a maximal accumulation in phospholipids, but a low incorporation into cholesterol esters (CEs), whereas [13C]20:5n-3 was equally present in phospholipids and CEs. The ratio of the amount of HDL-CE to HDL-phosphatidylcholine for [13C]20:5n-3 was higher than for [13C]22:6n-3, indicating a selectivity of the lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase enzyme with regard to these PUFAs, which may be related to the differences in their biological properties after fish oil feeding. The occurrence of a weak basal 22:6n-3 retroconversion in humans supports feeding this pure PUFA in cases in which 20:5n-3 presents undesirable side effects and when specific alterations of blood lipids are expected.

Administration, Oral

Metabolic fate of an oral long-chain triglyceride load in humans.

To determine the steps involved in the metabolism of ingested triglycerides (TG), 10 healthy women were studied during 6 h after ingestion of 30 g olive oil labeled with [1,1,1-13C3] triolein. The appearance of 13C was followed in chylomicron-TG (CM-TG), nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG, and in expired gas. Indirect calorimetry was used to determine total lipid oxidation. After 90 min, labeling was higher in CM-TG than in NEFA or VLDL. At 180 min, a plateau of enrichment was obtained for CM-TG and NEFA, demonstrating the entry of exogenous lipids in the NEFA pool. After 300 min, a plateau was observed for VLDL-TG with levels of enrichment (0.38 +/- 0.04%) similar to those observed for NEFA (0.36 +/- 0.03%), suggesting a precursor-product relationship. Only 19 +/- 2% of the load was oxidized. From 300 to 360 min, 70% of total lipid oxidation was from exogenous TG. We conclude that, after ingestion of a lipid load, a cycle of fatty acids-TG occurs from CM to NEFA and from NEFA to VLDL. Furthermore, this lipid load has a sparing effect on endogenous lipid stores.

Adult

Metabolic fate of an oral tracer dose of [13C]docosahexaenoic acid triglycerides in the rat.

The appearance of 13C in rat lipoprotein, blood cells, and brain lipids was followed as a function of time after the ingestion of triglycerides (TG) containing [13C]22:6n-3. The time course of 13C abundance in 22:6n-3 of various lipid pools, measured by gas chromatography combustion-isotope mass spectrometry, established precursor-product relationships within lipids. The [13C]22:6n-3 was rapidly incorporated into very low density lipoprotein-chylomicron-TG and unesterified fatty acids bound to albumin, with a concomitant maximal appearance at 3 h and further decline. Lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPC) bound to albumin were also enriched in [13C]22:6n-3, and their labeling appeared to be mainly due to hepatic secretion at the earliest time points. From 12 h postingestion, the synthesis of [13C]22:6n-3-lysoPC was twice as high as that of unesterified [13C]22:6n-3, making lysoPC a potential source of 22:6n-3 supply for tissues. The labeling of platelets, red blood cells, and brain phospholipids presented different kinetics, presumably involving the two lipid forms of [13C]22:6n-3 bound to albumin, to different extents. We conclude that [13C]22:6n-3 esterified in TG is rapidly redistributed within blood lipoproteins and the albumin fraction and that its incorporation in lipid species bound to albumin influences its uptake by target tissues.

Administration, Oral

Selective modifications of the phospholipid fatty acid composition in human platelet membranes using nonspecific and specific lipid transfer proteins.

In order to specifically modify the fatty acid composition of cell membrane phospholipids, we have developed an original method based on the transfer of pure phospholipid molecular species to membranes. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) subclasses containing 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 at the sn-2 position were incorporated into human platelet membranes using the endogenous phosphatidylinositol/PC transfer protein (PI/PC-TP) and the phospholipid transfer protein from maize (L-TP), respectively. PI/PC-TP was shown to catalyze a strict exchange of phospholipids between platelet membranes and unilamellar vesicles containing 1,2-diacylglycerophosphocholine (diacyl-GPC; 16:0/18:2-GPC, or 16:0/22:6-GPC). The proportions of 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 in diacyl-GPC of platelet membranes were gradually increased from 10.7 to 16.9% and from 0.8 to 10.1%, respectively, whereas the PE and PI fatty acid compositions were not changed. The diacyl-GPC enrichment in 22:6n-3 and 18:2n-6 did not induce changes in membrane fluidity parameters measured by electron-spin resonance of 5- and 16-nitroxy stearic acids. Similarly, 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 esterified in 1,2-diacylglycerophosphoethanolamine (diacyl-GPE) have been incorporated in platelet membranes by an apparent exchange process under conditions where donor vesicles had a phospholipid composition equivalent to that of platelet membranes. The proportions of 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 were selectively and progressively increased from 6.0 to 21.2% and from 2.2 to 17.2%, respectively, in diacyl-GPE of platelet membranes. Thus, the L-TP- and PI/PC-TP-catalyzed enrichment can be used for studying the modulation of membrane biological activities by defined changes of fatty acid composition of specific phospholipid classes or subclasses.

Androgen-Binding Protein

Decrease of brain phospholipid synthesis in free-moving n-3 fatty acid deficient rats.

The autoradiographic method with [14C]-docosahexaenoic acid ([14C]22:6 n-3) was used to determine whether a diet deficient in n-3 fatty acids, inducing a decrease in 22:6 n-3 circulating level, was associated with changes in local rates of phospholipid synthesis in the rat brain. As compared with rats fed a normal diet (peanut plus rapeseed oil), a n-3 fatty acid deficiency [peanut oil group (P group)] induced a generalized decrease (-35 to -76%) of 22:6 n-3 incorporation rates into phospholipids in all the regions examined. This effect was confirmed by using [3H]22:6 n-3 infusion by biochemical analysis and quantifications corrected for the contribution of docosahexaenoate derived from lipid store recycling to the unesterified pool, taken as the precursor pool for phospholipid synthesis in the whole brain. In normal or n-3 fatty acid-deficient rats, the values of the brain-to-plasma 22:6 n-3 specific activity ratio (psi) were similar (0.03), indicating that a considerable endogenous source of 22:6 n-3 (97%), likely derived from phospholipid degradation, dilutes the specific activity of the tracer coming from plasma. Using the specific activity of 22:6 n-3 in plasma instead of brain would thus lead to a gross underestimation of the rate of phospholipid synthesis. The results also demonstrate that the pattern of 14C or 3H distribution in brain lipids was not modified by the n-3 fatty acid-deficient diet. The major lipids labeled were phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylethanolamine. Nevertheless, the unesterified 22:6 n-3 concentrations in plasma and brain were significantly reduced (eight-and threefold, respectively) in the P group. In addition, the proportion of 22:6 n-3 in the brain total lipid fraction, total phospholipids, and phosphatidylcholine, -ethanolamine, and -serine was significantly decreased in n-3 fatty acid-deficient rats. This was partially compensated for by an increase in the 22:5 n-6 level. These results are discussed in relation to the limitation of 22:6 n-3 use to quantify, by the quantitative autoradiographic method, changes in local rates of phospholipid synthesis in rat brain.

Animals

Effect of specific phospholipid molecular species incorporated in human platelet membranes on thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors.

The incorporation of albumin-bound docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3), but not linoleic acid (18:2n-6), into cellular phospholipids inhibits platelet aggregation induced by the thromboxane analogue U46619. [3H]U46619 specific binding to thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) receptors, as well as specific binding of the antagonist [3H]SQ29548 to these sites were also decreased in these modified cells (P. G., Swann et al. 1990. J. Biol. Chem. 265: 21692-21697). More than 80% of the 22:6n-3 incorporated in these cells was esterified in the various endogenous phospholipid classes and the remaining was found in neutral lipids and in the unesterified fatty acid pool. In this study, we determined whether the effects observed could be attributed to the esterification of 22:6n-3 in phospholipids and whether the 22:6n-3 biological activity might depend on its esterification in specific phospholipid classes. Therefore, pure phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) molecular species were transferred to platelet membranes, using lipid transfer proteins. PC and PE containing palmitate (16:0) and 22:6n-3 or 16:0 and 18:2n-6 at position sn-1 and sn-2, respectively, were incorporated into membranes only at the expense of the corresponding endogenous phospholipid class, by an apparent exchange process. When such modified membranes were tested for specific binding of U46619 and SQ29548, a significant decrease of the receptor site affinity was only observed in membranes highly enriched with 1-palmitoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-glycerophosphocholine (16:0/22:6-GPC). Fluidity parameters measured by electron spin resonance of 5- and 16-nitroxy-stearic acids were not significantly different in membranes enriched with 16:0/22:6-GPC relative to those enriched with 16:0/18:2n-6-GPC, arguing against a generalized perturbation of the membrane due to 22:6n-3 incorporation. We conclude that molecular species of PC with 22:6n-3 at the sn-2 position can affect TXA2/PGH2 receptors. The selectivity of the inhibitory effect of PC containing 22:6n-3 is discussed.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5

Incorporation of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids into phospholipids of rat brain membranes.

The incorporation of [3H]arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) into rat brain membranes and its mobilization in response to norepinephrine, a relevant neuromediator were studied. The most efficient [3H]20:4n-6 incorporation was in inositol glycerophospholipids (PI) where it reached a plateau after 10 min incubation, while this incorporation was very weak in choline glycerophospholipids (PC). In contrast, the esterification of docosahexaenoic acid, another polyunsaturated fatty acid occurring at high level in brain, was similar in PI and PC, the incorporation in PI being 8-fold lower than that of 20:4n-6. The newly esterified [3H]20:4n-6 was exclusively found in the 1,2-diacyl subclasses of PI and PC. The bulk of incorporation was in the 18:0/20:4n-6 molecular species of 1,2-diacyl-glycerophosphoinositol and in 16:0/20:4n-6 + 18:1/20:4n-6 molecular species of 1,2-diacyl-glycerophosphocholine, which agrees with the usual location of 20:4n-6 in brain phospholipid classes. Upon norepinephrine treatment, [3H]20:4n-6 was not released from PC, but was dose-dependently decreased in PI, the release being significant from 10(-5) M of the agonist. These results suggest that 20:4n-6 exhibits a high specific turnover in brain PI and is mobilized from this class upon relevant neuromediator stimulation. The acellular system used preserved the specificity of enzymes catalyzing the polyunsaturated fatty acid incorporation and release and could be helpful for studying their turn over in brain.

Animals

Stable isotope tracer and gas-chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry to study the in vivo compartmental metabolism of docosahexaenoic acid.

A gas-chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GCC-IRMS) method using carbon 13 (13C)-stable isotope to trace n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) turnover in vivo is presented. Natural 13C abundance of commercial n-3 PUFA was measured from 100 to 300 ng of fatty acids and was -27.58, -27.83, and -28.16 for 22:6n-3, 22:5n-3, and 20:5n-3, expressed as delta 13C /1000 versus Pee Dee Belemnite (PDB), respectively. Precision of delta 13C /1000 values was comparable for the three PUFA and gave relative standard deviations of 0.95-0.97%. Isotope enrichment of 0.0010 at.% could be detected. Triglycerides enriched in [13C]22:6n-3 ([13C]22:6-TG) were synthesized by growing a microalgae on [1-13C]glucose. [13C]22:6n-3 represented 36 wt.% of total triglyceride fatty acids and had an isotope enrichment of 2.0420 at.%, which was the double of natural abundance. The isotope enrichment of 22:6n-3 in lipids from rat lipoproteins and red cells could be followed as a function of time after ingestion of 3 mg [13C]22:6-TG and showed specific patterns according to the lipid compartments. The retroconversion of [13C]22:6n-3 was also detected in HDL phosphatidylcholine by the appearance of [13C]22:5n-3 and [13C]20:5n-3. On the other hand, 22:6n-3 natural 13C abundance in human lipid classes of lipoproteins and blood cells has been measured using 10 ml plasma, even for the more limiting lipid compartments in terms of 22:6n-3 dose size.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Phospholipid molecular species from human placenta lipids.

The phospholipid molecular species from a large-scale preparation of human placenta lipids were analyzed. The major placental phospholipids were choline glycerophospholipids (CPL) (53.2 wt%), sphingomyelin (21.7 wt%) and ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EPL) (14.6 wt%). 1,2-Diacyl-glycerophosphocholine was the most abundant subclass of CPL (91.7 mol%), while EPL contained 1,2-diacyl (54.6 mol%) and 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl (43.8 mol%) subclasses. The level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in total phospholipids was remarkably constant (38.4-39.9 mol%) within all placental batches tested. The long-chain PUFA, mainly 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 of the n-6 and n-3 series, respectively, were found in high proportion in all phospholipid classes, especially in EPL (46.7 mol%) and in inositol glycerophospholipids (IPL) (39.9 mol%). CPL and serine glycerophospholipids were much richer in 18:1n-9 and 18:2n-6. High levels of molecular species with arachidonic acid in the sn-2 position were found particularly in 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphoethanolamine (with 24.0 mol% 16:0 and 22.0 mol% 18:0 in sn-1 position) and in 1,2-diacyl glycerophosphoinositol with 42.6 mol% 18:0 in sn-1 position. EPL subclasses were rich in 22:6n-3, which occurs mainly as 16:0/22:6n-3 (11.7 mol%) in the plasmalogen form and as 18:0/22:6n-3, 16:0/22:6n-3 and 18:1/22:6n-3 in the diacyl forms. Based on their availability and composition, placental phospholipids could be of interest, for example, for supplementing artificial milk preparations with n-3 and n-6 long-chain PUFA for newborn infants with insufficiently developed 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 desaturation/elongation.

Chromatography, Gas

Interactions between arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids during their dioxygenase-dependent peroxidation.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a major polyunsaturated fatty acid of fish has been widely proposed as a potential nutrient for decreasing platelet-endothelial cell interactions and the subsequent atherogenesis and thrombogenesis. This is mainly based upon the decrease of arachidonic acid (AA) oxygenation into bioactive molecules like thromboxane A2. In addition, EPA may be oxygenated into its own active derivatives via cell dioxygenases. We report evidence for the requirement of specific peroxides, adequately provided by AA, to allow EPA to be oxygenated into its bioactive products like prostaglandin I3, a prostacyclin mimetic. On the other hand, we present some data that argue for a decreased basal AA dioxygenation (specific peroxidation) by small concentrations of EPA. The interactions between AA and EPA are then dual, EPA being able to counteract AA oxygenation whereas EPA requires AA to be efficiently oxygenated.

Aged

Incorporation and turnover of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in human blood platelets in vitro.

Mass changes in the incorporation of linoleic (C18:2), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) acids in human blood platelet phospholipids were induced by incubating the cells and these fatty acids complexed to albumin. The remodelling of [14C]C18:2, [14C]C20:5 and [14C]C22:6 in classes, subclasses and molecular species of platelet phospholipids was studied in resting and thrombin-stimulated cells. More than 85% of the incorporation was located in phospholipids, representing 5-fold and 2.5-fold increases in the phospholipid C20:5 and C22:6 endogenous content respectively. Thrombin stimulation induced a 30% degradation of 1-acyl-2-C20:5-glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and 1-acyl-2-C22:6-GPC, but did not induce significant release of C18:2 from 1-acyl-2-C18:2-GPC. There was no change in the [14C]fatty acid composition of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-GPC. Thrombin-dependent increases in 1-alkenyl-2-C20:5-glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) and 1-alkenyl-2-C22:6-GPE of 2.1-fold and 2.5-fold respectively accounted for the rise in GPE radioactivity and partly compensated for the loss of these fatty acids from 1,2-diacyl-GPC: transfer to 1-alkenyl-2-acyl-GPE was 0.4 and 1.5 nmol/10(9) platelets for C20:5 and C22:6 respectively. [14C]C20:5 and [14C]C22:6 were incorporated into six different species of 1,2-diacyl-GPC, with acylation in the major endogenous forms (C18:1 +C16:0 and C18:0 species) representing 76% and 66% respectively of the total radioactivity present in 1,2-diacyl-GPC. Stimulation by thrombin induced significant release of these fatty acids from the main molecular species of 1,2-diacyl-GPC, but significantly stimulated the synthesis of alkenyl forms of GPE containing C18:1/C22:6 +C16:0/C22:6, C18:0/C22:6 and C18:0/C20:5. C18:0/C18:2, the major endogenous C18:2 molecular species, represented only 10.5% of the incorporation; none of the [14C]C18:2 molecular species was a substrate for transfer towards 1-alkenyl-2-acyl-GPE. It is concluded that when C20:5 and C22:6, but not C18:2, are acylated in 1,2-diacyl-GPC, they participate in thrombin-dependent phospholipid remodelling, and might compete with the turnover and release of arachidonic acid from platelet phospholipids and the subsequent activation of the cells.

Blood Platelets

Modulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase by dietary fats in rat heart.

Feeding oils of different fatty acid composition modifies the fatty acid composition of cardiac membrane phospholipids, thereby inducing changes in cardiac contractility and altering response of adenylate cyclase to catecholamines. In the present study, the effect of such dietary manipulations on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, which is involved in the control of cyclic nucleotide intracellular levels and in the control of cardiac contractility, was investigated. Rats were fed either a saturated fatty acid-enriched diet (8 weight percent [%] coconut oil + 2% sunflower oil), an n-6 fatty acid-enriched diet (10% sunflower oil) or an n-3 fatty acid-enriched diet (8% fish oil + 2% sunflower oil). The fatty acid composition of cardiac phospholipids, as well as the nonesterified fatty acid content of heart were markedly altered by the diets. The 18:2n-6 and 20:4n-6 content of cardiac phospholipids was markedly (-49%) depressed by fish oil as compared with sunflower oil feeding, but the nonesterified fatty acid level of heart membrane was lowest in coconut oil-fed rats. In addition, fish oil feeding more drastically depressed the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio in the nonesterified fatty acid pool than in cardiac phospholipids. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was the lowest in both the particulate and soluble fractions of heart from rats fed sunflower oil, whereas cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was not altered by the diets. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was decreased by 18 and 12% in heart membranes of the sunflower oil group as compared to that of the coconut oil and fish oil groups, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases

12-HETE inhibits the binding of PGH2/TXA2 receptor ligands in human platelets.

12(S)-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), the end-lipoxygenase product of arachidonic acid in platelets has been previously shown to prevent PGH2/TxA2-induced aggregation. From the present study, we show that 12-HETE inhibits the binding of [125I]-PTA-OH, a thromboxane antagonist, to platelet membranes with an IC50 of 8 microM. This value is in accordance with previously reported 12-HETE concentrations required to prevent the aggregation induced by TxA2 mimetics, the methano analogues of PGH2, U44069 and U46619. When [3H]-U44069 was used as a thromboxane agonist to label intact platelets, 12-HETE also inhibited its binding. We conclude that part of the inhibitory effect of 12-HETE on PGH2/TxA2-induced aggregation might be the result of interacting with PGH2/TxA2 receptor sites.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid

Leukotriene B4 level in neutrophils from allergic and healthy subjects stimulated by low concentration of calcium ionophore A23187. Effect of exogenous arachidonic acid and possible endogenous source.

Peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with allergic rhinitis and from normal subjects were incubated for 5 min at 37 degrees C with 0.15 microM calcium ionophore A23187 in the absence or presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (2.5 to 10 microM). In neutrophils from allergic patients, the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) level was significantly increased by exogenous arachidonic acid in a concentration-dependent manner (16.2 +/- 4.2 and 38.1 +/- 6.8 pmol/5 min per 2 X 10(6) cells in the absence and presence of 10 microM arachidonic acid, respectively; P less than 0.005; n = 8). The LTB4 level in neutrophils from healthy subjects was only 0.97 +/- 0.17 pmol/5 min per 2 x 10(6) cells (n = 5) and was not enhanced by exogenous arachidonate. When cells from allergic patients were challenged in the presence of exogenous [1-14C]arachidonic acid, released LTB4 was radiolabeled and the incorporated radioactivity increased with the labeled arachidonate concentration. Labeled LTB4 was never detectable after incubating neutrophils from normal donors with exogenous labeled arachidonate. When neutrophils were incubated with [1-14C]arachidonate for 1 h, the different lipid pools of the two cell populations were labeled but both types of neutrophils produced unlabeled LTB4 in response to ionophore stimulation. The hydrolysis of choline and ethanolamine phospholipids into diacyl-, alkenylacyl- and alkylacyl-species revealed that solely the alkylacyl-subclass of phosphatidylcholine was unlabeled. We conclude (i) that neutrophils from allergic patients stimulated by low ionophore concentration produce more LTB4 than neutrophils from healthy subjects and incorporate exogenous arachidonate, (ii) that endogenous arachidonate converted to LTB4 by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway may provide only from 1-O-alkyl-2-arachidonoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine.

Adult

Fatty acid composition of the rat pineal gland. Dietary modifications.

When compared to brain, the fatty acid composition of the rat pineal gland revealed that the total proportion of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was 2.3-fold higher, whereas the proportion of n-3 fatty acids was similar. Specifically, 20:4(n-6) and 18:2(n-6) were respectively 1.56- and 11.80-fold higher in the pineal than in the brain, while the proportions of 22:6(n-3) were similar in both tissues. In addition, 18:1(n-9) was found 2.15-fold lower in the pineal. Feeding adult rats with fish oil concentrates induced a significant alteration of the polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of the pineal. There was a reciprocal replacement of the n-6 by the n-3 fatty acids. Conversely, in rats fed a n-3 fatty acid-deficient diet (sunflower oil or coconut oil diet), the pineal gland contained reduced proportions of n-3 fatty acids. We conclude that the pineal gland (i) differs from the brain in containing much higher proportions of 18:2(n-6) and from the other tissues for its high proportions of 22:6(n-3) and (ii) is highly sensitive to the n-3 fatty acid diet in contrast to what is known for the brain. These findings are discussed in the context of melatonin biosynthesis, the major hormone of the pineal gland.

Animals

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate fatty acid composition and early activation steps of concanavalin A-stimulated rat thymocytes.

The early biochemical responses to concanavalin A (Con A) of thymocytes from rats fed a saturated (coconut oil), (n-6) (sunflower oil) or (n-3) (fish oil) fatty acid-enriched diet for 3 wk were investigated. Fish oil feeding resulted in greater (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid level (PUFA) at the expense of (n-6) PUFA in total and individual thymocyte phospholipids. Such alterations of the fatty acid composition did not affect basal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) or gamma-glutamyl transferase activities. However, the fish oil-enriched diet impaired some of the early thymocyte responses to Con A, such as the rapid induction (30 min) of soluble ODC and PDE activities. Synthesis of [3H]20:4(n-6) oxygenated metabolites was not different between the dietary groups; however, the uptake of [3H]20:4(n-6) into phospholipid classes was significantly lower in phosphatidylcholine and greater in phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol after fish oil feeding. Similarly, the Con A-induced remodeling of the [3H]20:4(n-6) esterification in phospholipids differed in sunflower oil- vs. fish oil-fed rats, suggesting a modulation of acyl CoA synthase and/or acyl CoA transferase activities. Thus, the modulation of Con A-induced ODC and PDE stimulation upon in vivo changes of membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition is not related to eicosanoid formation, but rather to the modification of the fatty acid acylation processes, altering phospholipid composition and signal transduction.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases