Changes in myocardial lipid composition during surgery with cold and chemical cardioplegia

The changes of children myocardium lipid composition were studied for the first time during surgical intervention under cold crystalloid cardioplegia. The surgical intervention was performed as a result of congenital heart disease--atrial septal defect. It was shown that the quantity of short chain fatty acids decreased and the amount of long chain fatty acids increased in the content of phospholipid fraction. Simultaneously the amount of linoleic (C18:2 omega 6), of docosahexaenoic (C22:6 omega 3) and of some other fatty acids decreased in the content of cholesterol esthers. The accumulation of free linoleic (C18:2 omega:6), (C18:2 omega:4) and linolenic (C18:3 omega:6) acids was found. Reperfusion caused the additional changes of myocardium lipid composition. The amount of palmitic (C16:0) acid decreased by 30%. The quantity of some other saturated free fatty acids also diminished. Simultaneously the content of free oleic (C18:1 omega 9) also decreased as a consequence of lipid peroxidative processes activation. The ratio of omega 6/omega 3 increased during the few first minutes of reperfusion in the fraction of free fatty acids and cholesterol esthers.     

Expression of the Arabidopsis ADS1 gene in Brassica juncea results in a decreased level of total saturated fatty acids

Brassica juncea plants transformed with the Arabidopsis ADS1 gene, which encodes a plant homologue of the mammalian and yeast acyl-CoA Delta9 desaturases and the cyanobateria acyl-lipid Delta9 desaturase, were found to have a statistically significant decrease in the level of saturated fatty acids in seeds. The decrease in the level of saturated fatty acids is largely attributable to decreases in palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), although arachidic acid (20:0), behenic acid (22:0) and lignoceric acid (24:0) were also decreased in the transgenic seeds compared to the negative control lines. As a result, the level of oleic acid (18:1) was slightly increased in the transgenic seed lines compared to the non-transformed controls. However, a decrease in saturated fatty acid is not always accompanied by the corresponding increase in mono-unsaturated fatty acids. For example, palmitoleic acid (16:1), gondoic acid (20:1) and nervonic acid (24:1) were all found to be decreased in transgenic seeds. The levels of linoleic acid (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3) were also notably changed in the transgenic lines compared to the controls. The present study provides preliminary experimental data suggesting that the Arabidopsis ADS1 encodes a fatty acid Delta9 desaturase and could be useful in genetic engineering for modifying the level of saturated fatty acids in oilseed crops. However, the effect of ADS1 gene expression on seed oil fatty acid composition is beyond the changes of total saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which suggests a complex mechanism is involved in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism.     

灵芝孢子油脂肪酸组分的分析

采用气相色谱与质谱(GC-MS)联用分析,从超临界CO2萃取孢子油中鉴定出18种脂肪酸成分,包括6种不饱和脂肪酸、7种饱和脂肪酸、2种环链脂肪酸,以及己酸、辛酸、壬酸等短链脂肪酸。GC定量分析结果表明:灵芝孢子油中检出9种已知脂肪酸,不饱和脂肪酸总量为73.6%;其中,主体成分油酸(C18∶1)、亚油酸(C18∶2)和棕榈酸(C16∶0)等含量分别为57.5%、13.4%、19.6%;此外,不饱和脂肪酸十六碳烯酸(C16∶1)、亚麻酸(C18∶3)等不饱和脂肪酸含量为2.2%、0.5%。     

Development of an AFLP-based linkage map and localization of QTLs for seed fatty acid content in condiment mustard (Brassica juncea).

A genetic linkage map of Brassica juncea based on AFLP and RAPD markers was constructed using 131 F1-derived doubled-haploid (DH) plants from a cross between two mustard lines. The map included 273 markers (264 AFLP, 9 RAPD) arranged on 18 linkage groups, and covered a total genetic distance of 1641 cM; 18.3% of the AFLP markers showed a segregation distortion (P < 0.01). The markers with biased segregation were clustered on seven linkage groups. QTLs for oil contents, palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), linolenic acid (18:3), eicosenoic acid (20:1), and erucic acid (22:1), were mapped on the AFLP linkage map. Correlation studies among fatty acids in the DH population and the localization of QTLs involved in their control indicated that a major gene located on linkage group (LG) 2 controlled the elongation step of erucic acid.     

Effects of fatty acid chain length and saturation on gastric inhibitory polypeptide release in obese hyperglycaemic (ob/ob) mice

Plasma gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) responses to equimolar intragastrically administered emulsions of fatty acids (2.62 mmol/7.5 ml/kg) were examined in 18 h fasted obese hyperglycaemic (ob/ob) mice. Propionic acid (C3:0), a saturated short-chain fatty acid, and capric acid (C10:0), a saturated medium chain fatty acid, did not signilicantly stimulate GIP release. However, the saturated long-chain fatty acid stearic acid (C18:0), and especially the unsaturated long-chain fatty acids oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2) and linolenic (C18:3) acids produced a marked GIP response. The results show that chain length and to a lesser extent the degree of saturation are important determinants of fatty acid-stimulated GIP release. The GIP-release action of long-chain, but not short-chain, fatty acids may be r e l a t e d to differences in their intracellular handling.     

Fatty acid content and composition in relation to grain size of barley

The relationship between grain size and total fatty acid (TFA) content and composition, as well as the contribution of corn size distribution to the variation of fatty acid contents between barley types, were studied in nine barley varieties (six-rowed and two-rowed winter barleys, and two-rowed spring barleys) fractionated according to grain size. Smaller grains contained as much TFA as the bigger ones. On average, the proportions of saturated fatty acids (16:0 and 18:0) and of oleic acid (18:1) are higher in large grains than in small kernels, whereas the percentages of linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids are lower. The higher 18:1 and the lower 18:3 proportions in two-rowed barleys compared to their six-rowed counterparts, can be explained by the indirect effect of the different grain size distribution between the barley types.     

The effect of genotype and environment on the fatty acid content of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grains

Abstract A comparison was made of the content of total and some individual fatty acids in grains of nine barley varieties grown at six sites in Belgium. The varieties represented six- and two-rowed winter types and two-rowed spring types. The results showed that the winter types contain more linolenic acid (C18 : 3) than spring types and that six-rowed barleys have less total fatty acids than two-rowed barleys, due mainly to a low concentration of palmitic (C16:0), oleic (CI8 : 1) and linoleic (C18 : 2) acids. Analysis of variance showed that fatty acid content is affected by both the genotype and the environment and multiple regression analysis suggested that weather conditions before and after flowering affected lipid composition.     

Sucrose-mediated regulation of fatty acid composition in asexual embryos of Theobroma cacao

Asexual embryos of Theobroma cacao L. cultured in vitro grew to a size and fresh weight equal to mature zygotic embryos in vivo when cultured in liquid medium on a rollodrum apparatus. Changes in the fatty acid composition in the asexual embryos, similar to those which occur in the zygotic embryo during normal maturation, were stimulated as the sucrose concentration in the medium was increased to an optimum at 27% sucrose (w/v). As the sucrose concentration increased, there was a shift in the fatty acid composition from predominantly polyunsaturated to saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids characterized by an increase in the mole percents of stearic (18:0) and oleic (18:1) acids and a decrease in the mole percents of linoleic (18:2) and linolenic acids (18:3).     

Triacylglycerol and phospholipid fatty acids of the silverleaf whitefly: composition and biosynthesis

The identification and composition of the fatty acids of the major lipid classes (triacylglycerols and phospholipids) within Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) nymphs were determined. Comparisons were made to fatty acids from the internal lipids of B. argentifolii adults. The fatty acids, as ester derivatives, were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (CGC) and CGC-mass spectrometry (MS). All lipid classes contained variable distributions of eight fatty acids: the saturated fatty acids, myristic acid (14:0), palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), arachidic acid (20:0); the monounsaturated fatty acids, palmitoleic acid (16:1), oleic acid (18:1); the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2), linolenic acid (18:3). Fourth instar nymphs had 5-10 times the quantities of fatty acids as compared to third instar nymphs and 1-3 times the quantities from adults. The fatty acid quantity differences between fourth and third instar nymphs were related to their size and weight differences. The percentage compositions for fatty acids from each lipid class were the same for the pooled groups of third and fourth instar nymphs. For nymphs and adults, triacylglycerols were the major source of fatty acids, with 18:1 and 16:0 acids as major components and the majority of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, 18:2 and 18:3 were present in the two phospholipid fractions, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. Evidence was obtained that whiteflies indeed synthesize linoleic acid and linolenic acid de novo: radiolabel from [2-(14)C] acetate was incorporated into 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acids of B. argentifolii adults and CGC-MS of pyrrolidide derivatives established double bonds in the Delta(9,12) and Delta(9,12,15) positions, respectively.     

Chemotaxonomy of heterocystous cyanobacteria using FAME profiling as species markers

The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis of the 12 heterocystous cyanobacterial strains showed different fatty acid profiling based on the presence/absence and the percentage of 13 different types of fatty acids. The major fatty acids viz. palmitic acid (16:0), hexadecadienoic acid (16:2), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic (18:2), and linolenic acid (18:3) were present among all the strains except Cylindrospermum musicola where oleic acid (18:1) was absent. All the strains showed high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs; 41-68.35%) followed by saturated fatty acid (SAFAs; 1.82-40.66%) and monounsaturated fatty acid (0.85-24.98%). Highest percentage of PUFAs and essential fatty acid (linolenic acid; 18:3) was reported in Scytonema bohnerii which can be used as fatty acid supplement in medical and biotechnological purpose. The cluster analysis based on FAME profiling suggests the presence of two distinct clusters with Euclidean distance ranging from 0 to 25. S. bohnerii of cluster I was distantly related to the other strains of cluster II. The genotypes of cluster II were further divided into two subclusters, i.e., IIa with C. musicola showing great divergence with the other genotypes of IIb which was further subdivided into two groups. Subsubcluster IIb(1) was represented by a genotype, Anabaena sp. whereas subsubcluster IIb(2) was distinguished by two groups, i.e., one group having significant similarity among their three genotypes showed distant relation with the other group having closely related six genotypes. To test the validity of the fatty acid profiles as a marker, cluster analysis has also been generated on the basis of morphological attributes. Our results suggest that FAME profiling might be used as species markers in the study of polyphasic approach based taxonomy and phylogenetic relationship.     

Changes in the lipid and fatty acid composition of hemolymph and ovaries during the reproductive cycle of Labidura riparia

Lipid metabolism was investigated during the reproductive cycle of Labidura riparia (Pallas). The lipid classes and their constitutive fatty acids present in hemolymph and ovaries were measured using thin‐layer chromatography and gas‐liquid chromatography. In the hemolymph, total lipids increase steadily from the previtellogenic period to vitellogenic arrest. These lipids are predominantly diacylglycerols and phospholipids. In the ovaries, total lipids increase during vitellogenesis then decrease during the vitellogenesis arrest period. The major lipids are triacylglycerols, followed by phospholipids. In both hemolymph and ovaries, all lipid classes contained variable proportions of seven main fatty acids: the saturated fatty acids myristic acid (14:0), palmetic acid (16:0), and stearic acid (18:0); the monounsaturated fatty acids palmitoleic acid (16:1) and oleic acid (18:1); and the polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleic acid (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3). Unsaturated fatty acids predominate throughout the reproductive cycle. The percentage compositions of total and triacylglycerol fatty acids do not change markedly during the reproductive cycle in hemolymph nor in ovaries, with 18:2, 18:1 and 16:0 fatty acids being the major components. However, for diacylglycerols and phospholipids, the proportions of fatty acids vary systematically. For phospholipids during the vitellogenesis period, 18:2 increases considerably whereas other fatty acids decrease; for diacylglycerols, these fatty acids vary in the reverse way.     

Effects of emulsified octadecanic acids on gas production and cellulolysis by the rumen anaerobic fungus, Piromyces communis M014

Responses of the rumen anaerobic fungus, Piromyces communis M014, to octadecanic long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) were evaluated by measuring total and hydrogen gas productions, filter paper (FP) cellulose degradation and polysaccharidase enzyme activities. Octadecanic acids (stearic acid, C(18:0); oleic acid, C(18:1); linoleic acid, C(18:2) and linolenic acid, C(18:3)) were emulsified by ultrasonication under anaerobic conditions, and added to the medium at the level of 0.001%. When P. communis M014 was grown in culture with stearic and oleic acids, the cumulative gas production, FP cellulose digestion and enzyme activities were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the early incubation times relative to those for the control. However, the addition of linolenic acid inhibited all of the investigated parameters, including cellulose degradation, enzyme activities and gas production, up to 168h incubation. These results indicated that stearic and oleic acids tended to have stimulatory effects on fungal cellulolysis, whereas linolenic acid caused a significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effect on cellulolysis by the rumen fungus. The fungus, P. communis M014, can biohydrogenate C(18) unsaturated fatty acids to escape from their toxic effects. Therefore, in this study, the results indicated that the more highly the added C(18) LCFA to the fungal culture was unsaturated, the higher the inhibition of gas production and cellulase enzyme activity was.     

The kinetics of changes in the fatty acid composition of Neurospora crassa lipids after a temperature increase

The fatty acid composition of the total lipids, phospholipids and neutral lipids of log-phase shaker cultures of the bd (band) strain of Neurospora crassa, were measured every 2 h for an 8-h period following a temperature increase from 22 to 40 degrees C. For purposes of comparison, the fatty acid composition was also measured when cultures were grown from inoculation at temperatures between 22 and 40 degrees C. In the phospholipids, the temperature jump produced, over a 4-6 hour span, a linear decrease in the linolenic acid (18:3) content from 31 to 10 mol% and an increase in the linoleic acid (18:2) content from 41 to 45 mol% for a few hours, followed by a decrease to 38 mol%. The oleic acid (18:1) content increased, after a 2 h lag, from 5 to 26 mol%. The temperature increase caused a decrease in the double bond index from 180 to 135 but produced no changes in the mol% of the saturated fatty acids, the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids, the total amount of fatty acids per gram dry weight, or the growth rate of the cultures. After the switch to 40 degrees C the total amount of 18:3 per flask increased only slightly over the 8 h period, indicating that there was little loss of 18:3 from the mycelia by beta-oxidation, or by conversion to other fatty acids. Since the mass of the culture increased some 4-fold in this time, it suggests that the decrease in the mole percent of 18:3 is probably due to a decrease in the rate of synthesis of 18:3.     

Mapping of the loci controlling oleic and linolenic acid contents and development of fad2 and fad3 allele-specific markers in canola (Brassica napus L.)

The quality of canola oil is determined by its constituent fatty acids such as oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3). Most canola cultivars normally produce oil with about 55–65% oleic acid and 8–12% linolenic acid. High concentrations of linolenic acid lead to oil instability and off-type flavor, while high levels of oleic acid increase oxidative stability and nutritional value of oil. Therefore, development of canola cultivars with increased oleic acid and reduced linolenic acid is highly desirable for canola oil quality. In this study, we have mapped one locus that has a major effect and one locus that has a minor effect for high oleic acid and two loci that have major effects for low linolenic acid in a doubled haploid population. The major locus for high C18:1 was proven to be the fatty acid desaturase-2 (fad2) gene and it is located on the linkage group N5; the minor locus is located on N1. One major QTL for C18:3 is the fatty acid desaturase-3 gene of the genome C (fad3c) and it is located on N14. The second major QTL resides on N4 and is the fad3a gene of the A genome. We have sequenced genomic clones of the fad2 and fad3c genes amplified from an EMS-induced mutant and a wild-type canola cultivar. A comparison of the mutant and wild-type allele sequences of the fad2 and fad3c genes revealed single nucleotide mutations in each of the genes. Detailed sequence analyses suggested mechanisms by which both the mutations can cause altered fatty acid content. Based on the sequence differences between the mutant and wild-type alleles, two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, corresponding to the fad2 and fad3c gene mutations, were developed. These markers will be highly useful for direct selection of desirable fad2 and fad3c alleles during marker-assisted trait introgression and breeding of canola with high oleic and low linolenic acid.     

Mapping of QTLs controlling content of fatty acid composition in rapeseed (Brassica napus)

The improvement of fatty acid composition is one of the major goals of breeding in rapeseed (Brassica napus). The aim of this study was to provide more information on the genetic determination of fatty acid composition by investigating quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The study was based on two-year of field trials (in 2006 and 2007) with a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs), which originated from a cross between GH06 and P174. The level of erucic acid (C22:1) was significantly negatively correlated with those of palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), linolenic acid (C18:3), and eicosenoic acid (C20:1) in both years. A total of 40 QTLs for six fatty acids were detected and most of them were clustered on linkage groups N8, N9, and N13. These results suggested strongly that there were significant correlations between the levels of fatty acid components and would be useful for the future improvement of breeding programs focused on fatty acids in rapeseed.     

The effect of fatty acids on the developmental direction of Strongyloides ratti first-stage larvae

The effect of fatty acids was studied on the developmental direction of Strongyloides ratti first-stage larvae (L1). The proportion of third-stage infective larvae increased markedly when L1 were cultured in faeces with added fatty acids such as palmitic (C16), stearic (C18), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) acids. Unsaturated fatty acids were more effective than saturated ones. Moreover, the proportion of infective larvae increased with quantity of linoleic acid but the triacylglycerols of any fatty acid had no effect. These results suggest that these free fatty acids cause physiological changes that determine the developmental course of L1 of S. ratti in nature.     

Fatty Acids and Circadian Rhythms in Phaseolus coccineus: Effects of Light, Temperature, and Chemicals

Five major fatty acids, palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), and linolenic (18:3), were identified in polar lipid extracts from pulvini of Samanea saman and Phaseolus coccineus. In P. coccineus their distribution varied quantitatively in the laminar pulvinus, petiolar pulvinus, petiole, stem, leaf and root. Short pulses of red light did not greatly affect the relative quantities of fatty acids in dark grown P. coccineus, but a 30-minute exposure of red light generally increased the degree of unsaturation by increasing linolenic acid and decreasing linoleic and palmitic acids.     

Radiation studies of Acholeplasma laidlawii: the role of membrane composition

Acholeplasma laidlawii, a mycoplasma, is unable to synthesize unsaturated fatty acids but it will incorporate them into its plasma membrane if they are supplied exogeneously. Thus the fatty acid composition of the cell membrane can be defined by growing the organism in media containing specific fatty acids. We obtained cells with predominantly one type of unsaturated fatty acid (either oleic, linoleic or linolenic acid) or cells with only saturated fatty acid in the cell membrane. The cells were irradiated with 7 MeV electrons and the effect of membrane fatty acid composition on cell survival was examined. At 200 Gy/min and 0.5 degrees C (melting ice) there was little difference in the radiation sensitivities of the cells grown in unsaturated fatty acids either in aerated or anoxic radiation conditions. However, the cells containing saturated fatty acids irradiated in anoxic conditions were markedly more sensitive than the cells containing unsaturated fatty acids. At 200 Gy/min and 37 degrees C the two types of cells were of similar sensitivity both in aerated and anoxic radiation conditions. At 5 Gy/min at 0.5 degrees C the cells containing linolenic acid (18:3) were less sensitive than those containing solely saturated fatty acids. However, at 5 Gy/min at 37 degrees C there was no difference in sensitivity between these two types of cell. Our results strongly argue against the involvement of lipid peroxidation as a molecular change leading to cell death.     

华南主要野生蔬菜的脂肪酸成分分析

本实验以华南主要野生蔬菜守宫木、土人参、一点红、白仔菜、紫背菜、鳄嘴花、藤三七、塘葛菜为材料,并以华南特产蔬菜菜心为对照,对8种野生蔬菜的脂肪酸成分进行了分析.结果表明:8种野菜共检出十四酸、软脂酸、棕榈油酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸、亚麻酸、二十二酸和二十四酸共9种脂肪酸,但不同野菜之间的脂肪酸组成与含量差异极大.8种野菜的饱和脂肪酸的总量都高于菜心,饱和脂肪酸种类最多的是藤三七,含4种.不饱和脂肪酸的变化与饱和脂肪酸相反,8种野菜都低于菜心,但其油酸、亚油酸远高过菜心.菜心富含亚麻酸,但不含亚油酸.可见8种野菜油营养价值较高.     

Molecular Mapping of Loci Affecting the Contents of Three Major Fatty Acids in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L)

The fatty acid constituents of mustard oil are palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic and erucic acids. With the objective of mapping loci influencing the content of these fatty acids, a population of F₆ generation recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an inter-varietal cross of mustard was analyzed. Transgressive variation was evident for all the six fatty acids analysed irrespective of the levels of differences between the parents. The frequency distribution was normal for the linolenic acid, linoleic acid and stearic acid contents, while deviation from normality was observed for the other three fatty acids. The content of erucic acid was negatively correlated with the contents of all other fatty acids, which were positively correlated. Based on single marker analysis and interval mapping, two loci each for linoleic, linolenic and erucic acids were mapped to marker intervals on three linkage groups. Position of log of odds ratio (LOD) peaks suggested presence of common, linked and independently segregating loci for the fatty acid contents. The percentage of phenotypic variance explained by individual quantitative trait loci (QTLs) ranged from 10.5 to 19.5%, whereas the cumulative action of loci detected for different traits accounted for 16.3 to 27.6% of the variance. The additive effect for an individual locus ranged from 1.09 to 4.33. Presence of the favourable alleles at both the contributing loci in most of the RILs with a high linolenic acid content and of the unfavourable alleles in the lines with a low linolenic acid content indicated the possibility of pyramiding useful genes from phenotypically similar parental lines.