Candidasp．99-125脂肪酶催化猪油酸解合成1，3-二油酸-2-棕榈酸甘油三酯

人乳脂是一种在甘油骨架Sn-2位上富含棕榈酸（C16：0）的结构酯。经分析可知,猪油中棕榈酸主要分布在甘油酯的Sn-2位,可作为制备1,3-二油酸-2-棕榈酸甘油三酯（OPO）的原料。以Candidasp．99—125脂肪酶作催化剂,以猪油和油酸为原料,通过正交试验对无溶剂体系中酸解合成OPO的工艺条件进行研究,得到最适反应条件：猪油与油酸的质量比为1：2．0,酶用量为总底物质量的10％,反应温度40℃,反应时间4h。在该反应条件下,经酸解合成的产物三甘酯中,Sn-2C16：0的含量大于70％,占总脂肪酸中棕榈酸含量的93％以上,并合有43％以上的OPO。     

硝酸异山梨酯片联合美托洛尔治疗老年冠心病心绞痛的疗效及对IL-18及hs-CRP水平的影响．

目的：观察硝酸异山梨酯片联合美托洛尔治疗老年冠心病心绞痛的临床效果,观察联合用药对患者血浆白介素．18（Inter．1eukin,IL-18）、超敏C反应蛋白（HighsensitivityCreactiveprotein,hs—CRP）的影响。方法：选择本院收治的老年冠心病心绞痛患者84例,随机分为研究组和对照组,各42例,研究组给予硝酸异山梨酯片20mg,3次／d,口服,美托洛尔12．5mg,1次／d,口服;对照组仅给予硝酸异山梨酯片20mg,3次／d,口服,疗程均为28d。观察两组用药后心绞痛改善情况,并观察两组治疗前后血清IL-8、hs-CRP变化。结果：治疗后,研究组总有效率为90．5％;对照组总有效率为69．0％,研究组总有效率明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）。治疗后两组心率、心绞痛发作频率明显降低,持续时间明显缩短（P〈0．05）;研究组心率、心绞痛发作频率明显低于对照组,持续时间也较对照组短（P〈0．05）。治疗前两组血浆IL-18、hs-CRP水平比较无统计学差异（P〉0．05）;治疗后研究组IL．18、hs．CRP水平明显低于对照组（P〈O．05）。结论：硝酸异山梨酯片联合美托洛尔治疗老年冠心病心绞痛能够进一步减轻患者IL．18、hs．CRP水平,对心绞痛治疗效果较单独应用酸异山梨酯片更佳。     

燕麦纤维改善高脂饮食诱导的肥胖小鼠胰岛素抵抗的机制研究

目的：研究燕麦纤维对高脂饮食诱导小鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法：采用8w龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠高脂喂养16w,同时预防性给药,监测血液生化指标,进行糖耐量实验,ELISA法测胰岛素并计算HOMR-IR指数,解剖分离小鼠的内脏脂肪组织并称重,以及取部分组织做HE染色进行形态学观察,研究燕麦纤维对高脂诱导小鼠肥胖和胰岛素抵抗的影响。结果：与模型组比较,阳性药小檗碱组与燕麦纤维组的血糖（GLU）、甘油三酯（TG）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）、总胆固醇（TC）均能显著降低;燕麦纤维组低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）也显著降低,血浆胰岛素水平极显著降低,能增强胰岛素敏感性,改善胰岛素抵抗;血浆中炎症因子TNF-α、IL-6、L-1β及MCP-1显著降低,分别降低了27%、81%、31%、50%。小鼠体质量和内脏脂肪显著减少。脂肪细胞面积减小。结论：燕麦纤维通过减少小鼠内脏脂肪,减少FFA和炎症因子的分泌,改善由高脂饮食诱导的胰岛素抵抗,增加胰岛素敏感性。     

两种海桐属植物种子油脂肪酸组成的分析评价

采用有机溶剂抽提了海桐属 2种植物 (海桐和皱叶海桐 )的籽油 ,使用气相色谱法 (GC)分析鉴定了其油脂的脂肪酸组分。 2种籽油均含有 6种脂肪酸 ,主要脂肪酸成分均为软脂酸 (C16∶0 )和油酸 (C18∶1)。其含量 ( % )分别为 :软脂酸 (C16∶0 ) 2 9.66,3 4 .72 ;油酸 (C18∶1) 66.4 3 ,62 .54。这两种油脂中 ,单不饱和脂肪酸油酸占优势 ,因而品质优良。提示海桐属植物籽油可作为保健型食用油研究和开发利用     

脑梗死患者同型半胧氨酸与血脂相关性的研究

目的：研究脑梗死患者空腹血浆总同型半胱氨酸（THCY）水平及其与血脂的关系。方法：观察组（54例）均为我院2002年1月．2006年5月住院脑梗死患者,测定空腹THCY水平及血脂各参数;另有同龄健康者为对照组（39例）,进行比较分析。结果：观察组与对照组比较,空腹THCY水平差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,血浆HCY含量与TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C含量的相关性均无统计学意义。结论：高HCY血症与血脂无关,是脑梗死的独立危险因素之一。     

东方粘虫的飞翔活动和脂肪酸利用

应用GC和GC-MS分析了东方粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)成虫脂肪体、血淋巴和飞翔肌内总脂类脂肪酸组成.它们的组成成分为肉豆蔻酸(C14:0),棕榈酸(C16:0),棕榈油酸(C16:1),硬脂酸(C18:0),油酸(C18:2),亚油酸(C18:2)和亚麻酸(C18:3);组成百分率为1-2:35:9-11:1:32:12-17:3-6.在吊飞1h后,脂肪体内的脂肪酸水平显著下降(20μg/mg组织·h~(-1),血淋巴内脂肪酸浓度明显升高,然而,飞翔肌内脂肪酸含量的变化不明显.从脂肪体、血淋巴和飞翔肌内脂肪酸组成成分的百分率变化可以发现东方粘虫飞翔肌在飞翔活动中主要选择性利用棕榈酸和油酸.     

上海交通大学附属第一人民医院中心实验室

目的：研究内蒙古地区汉族非吸烟人群和吸烟人群中,细胞色素P4501A1（cytochromc P4501A1,CYP1A1）基因MspI酶切位点多态性与慢性重度牙周炎（chronic severe periodontitis,CP）易感性的关系。方法：对50例CP患者和51例正常对照者按吸烟情况进行分组。用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术（PCR-RFLP）,检测研究人群中CYP1A1基因3’端MspI酶切位点的3种基因型（A,B,C）的分布频率。结果：不考虑吸烟情况下,MspI基因型C在病例组和对照组中各占20％和13．7％,基因型A在两组中分别占42％和47．1％,基因型B在两组中分别占38％和39．2％,各基因型在两组间比较差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。但在吸烟组MspI C型者患慢性重度牙周是的危险性（OR）是其他基因型的5倍（95％可信限：1．34218．62）。结论：MspI C型可能是吸烟者慢性重度牙周炎易感性的遗传标志。     

老年宫颈癌50例临床及预后分析

目的：探讨老年宫颈癌的临床病理特征及预后影响因素。方法：对50例老年宫颈癌患者的临床特点及生存情况进行回顾性分析。结果：鳞状细胞癌45例（90．0％）,腺癌4例（8．0％）,透明细胞癌1例（2．0％）;≤Ⅱa期占16．0％,≥Ⅱb期占84．0％;主要临床症状为绝经后不规则阴道流血,全组1、3、5年生存率分别为82．0％,66．0％,54．0％。多因素分析结果显示病理类型、临床分期及淋巴结转移情况是老年宫颈癌患者预后的独立影响因素（均P〈0．05）。结论：KPS评分≥70分、鳞癌、临床分期为Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期,无淋巴结转移的患者预后较好,病理类型、临床分期及淋巴结转移情况是老年宫颈癌患者预后的独立影响因素。     

玉米全谷物代餐粉对大鼠糖脂代谢的影响

目的：研究玉米全谷粉代餐粉对大鼠糖脂代谢和抗氧化能力的影响,以期丰富糖尿病患者饮食。方法：建立糖尿病大鼠模型,对其进行12周的玉米全谷物代餐粉干预。实验过程中定期检测大鼠空腹血糖（FBG）。第12周时进行糖耐量实验（OGTT）,检测大鼠的糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）、总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、总超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、丙二醛（MDA）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）和超敏C-反应蛋白（hs-CRP）,并对大鼠肝脏进行病理学观察。结果：与模型对照组相比,实验组大鼠的FBG、HbA1c、TC、TG、LDL-C、MDA、FFA含量都显著降低,SOD、CAT含量和糖耐受能力显著升高,肝脏损伤程度有所减少。结论：玉米全谷粉代餐粉可有效降低大鼠血糖血脂水平,提高其抗氧化能力,减少肝脏损伤。     

老年男性原发性高血压患者脉压与颈动脉狭窄的相关分析

目的：探讨老年男性原发性高血压（EH）患者脉压（PP）与动脉粥样硬化性颈动脉狭窄（CS）的关系。方法：对入选的157例伴有颈动脉粥样硬化的老年男性EH患者行颈动脉超声检查,并收集行颈动脉超声检查前1年内的多次血压水平及临床资料,根据颈动脉狭窄程度分为：CS〈50％组（n=66）及CS≥50％组（n=91）,并进一步将颈动脉狭窄程度分级（I—V级）,分析颈动脉狭窄的危险因素及与脉压的相关性。结果：①CS≥50％组收缩压（SBP）及PP显著高于CS〈50％组,而舒张压（DBP）显著低于CS〈50％组（P〈0．05）,CS≥50％组的独立危险因素是外周动脉疾病（OR：4．543,95％CI：1．415．14．590）及脉压（OR：1．096,95％CI：1．038．1．157）;②CS分级与PP（r=0．402,P〈0．01）及血浆纤维蛋白原（FIB）（r=0．200,P〈0．05）呈正相关,经校正年龄、体重指数（BMI）、SBP、DBP、总胆固醇（TO）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-c）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-c）、D-二聚体（D-dimer）、血尿酸（UA）、空腹血糖（FBG）、氨基酸末端脑利钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）、总胆红素（TBIL）及直接胆红素（DBIL）等危险因素后,CS分级仍与PP及FIB有关。结论：老年男性原发性高血压患者脉压与颈动脉狭窄有关,治疗高血压的同时应当尽量减小脉压。     

The lowering of hepatic fatty acid uptake improves liver function and insulin sensitivity without affecting hepatic fat content in humans

Lipolysis may regulate liver free fatty acid (FFA) uptake and triglyceride accumulation; both are potential causes of insulin resistance and liver damage. We evaluated whether 1) systemic FFA release is the major determinant of liver FFA uptake in fasting humans in vivo and 2) the beneficial metabolic effects of FFA lowering can be explained by a reduction in liver triglyceride content. Sixteen healthy subjects were subdivided in two groups of similar characteristics to undergo positron emission tomography with [(11)C]acetate and [(11)C]palmitate to quantify liver FFA metabolism (n = 8), or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure hepatic fat content (n = 8), before and after the acute lowering of circulating FFAs by using the antilipolytic agent acipimox. MRS was again repeated after a 1-wk treatment period. Acipimox suppressed FFA levels while stimulating hepatic fractional extraction of FFAs (P < 0.05). As a result, fasting liver FFA uptake was decreased by 79% (P = 0.0002) in tight association with lipolysis (r = 0.996, P < 0.0001). The 1-wk treatment induced a significant improvement in systemic (+30%) and liver (+70%) insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05) and decreased circulating triglycerides (-20%, P = 0.06) and liver enzymes (ALT -20%, P = 0.03). No change in liver fat content was observed after either acute or sustained FFA suppression. We conclude that acute and sustained inhibitions of lipolysis and liver FFA uptake fail to deplete liver fat in healthy human subjects. Liver FFA uptake was decreased in proportion to FFA delivery. As a consequence, liver and systemic insulin sensitivity were improved, together with liver function, independently of changes in hepatic triglyceride accumulation.     

Changes in membrane lipid and free fatty acid composition during low temperature preconditioning against SO2 injury in coleus

The effects of a low temperature (13 degrees C) treatment known to provide protection against sulphur dioxide (SO2) injury were assessed on leaf lipid composition in two cultivars of Coleus blumei Benth, found previously to differ in sensitivity to SO2 and other environmental stresses. After 5 days growth at 13 degrees C, there were significant differences in membrane lipid fatty acid composition as well as in free fatty acid (FFA) levels between SO2-sensitive 'Buckley Supreme' ('BS') and SO2-insensitive 'Marty' ('M'). Molecular species of chloroplast galactolipids in 'M' contained increased levels of linolenic acid (18:3). In the leaf FFA pools, the saturated components, palmitic (16:0) and stearic (18:0) acids, were predominant at 20 degrees C. After temperature hardening at 13 degrees C, the total amount of FFAs decreased in 'M' but increased in 'BS.' These modifications in lipid composition suggest an additional mechanism for cultivar differences in tolerance to SO2 and other stressors in coleus.     

Rapid quantitation of free fatty acids in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

We report a rapid and sensitive method for separation and quantitation of free fatty acids (FFAs) in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two established techniques of lipid extraction were investigated and modified to achieve maximal FFA recovery in a reasonably short time period. A modified Dole extraction method exhibited greater recovery (90%) and short processing times (30 min) compared to the method of Miles et al. Reversed-phase HPLC using UV detection was used for plasma FFA separation and quantitation. Two phenacyl ester derivatives, phenacyl bromide and p-bromophenacyl bromide, were investigated in order to achieve optimal separation of individual plasma FFAs (saturated and unsaturated) with desirable detection limits. Different chromatographic parameters including column temperature, column type and elution profiles (isocratic and gradient) were tested to achieve optimal separation and recovery of fatty acids. Phenacyl bromide esters of plasma fatty acids were best resolved using an octadecylsilyl column with endcapped silanol groups. An isocratic elution method using acetonitrile–water (83:17) at 2 ml/min with UV detection at 242 nm and a column temperature of 45°C was found to optimally resolve the six major free fatty acids present in human plasma (myristic [14:0], palmitic [16:0], palmitoleic [16:1], stearic [18:0], oleic [18:1] and linoleic [18:2]), with a run time of less than 35 min and detection limits in the nmol range. The entire process including plasma extraction, pre-column derivatization, and HPLC quantitation can be completed in 90 min with plasma samples as small as 50 μl. Over a wide physiological range, plasma FFA concentrations determined using our HPLC method agree closely with measurements using established TLC–GC methods (r²≥0.95). In addition, by measuring [¹⁴C] or [³H] radioactivity in eluent fractions following HPLC separation of plasma FFA, this method can also quantitate rates of FFA turnover in vivo in human metabolic studies employing isotopic tracers of one or more fatty acids.     

Postprandial lipemia in the elderly involves increased incorporation of ingested fat in plasma free fatty acids and small (Sf 20-400) triglyceride-rich lipoproteins

In the elderly, the rise in postprandial plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations is increased, contributing to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the incorporation of ingested fat (whipping cream enriched with [1,1,1-(13)C]triolein) into plasma lipids during the postprandial period in six healthy elderly (67 ± 1 yr old) and six healthy young (23 ± 2 yr old) subjects. Blood and expired air samples were taken before and at 2-h intervals during the 8-h postprandial period. As expected, the area under the curve of postprandial plasma TG concentrations was larger in the elderly compared with the young subjects (152 ± 38 vs. 66 ± 27 mg·dl(-1)·h, P < 0.05). The incorporation of [(13)C]oleate in plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) and TG of the small (S(f) = 20-400) triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction was significantly higher in the elderly compared with the young subjects, resulting in increased postprandial contributions of the ingested lipid to plasma FFAs (41 ± 3 vs. 26 ± 6%, P < 0.05) and the small TRL fraction (36 ± 5 vs. 21 ± 3%, P < 0.05) in elderly. Plasma apoB-100 concentration was higher, whereas the rate of oxidation of the ingested lipid was lower (P < 0.05) in the elderly. We conclude that increased postprandial lipemia in the elderly involves increased contribution of ingested lipid to the plasma small TRLs. This appears to be driven at least in part by increased appearance of the ingested fat as plasma FFA and increased availability of apo B-100 lipoproteins in the elderly.     

Mechanism of Long-Chain Free Fatty Acid Protonation at the Membrane-Water Interface

Long-chain free fatty acids (FFAs) play an important role in several physiological and pathological processes such as lipid fusion, adjustments of membrane permeability and fluidity, and the regulation of enzyme and protein activities. FFA-facilitated membrane proton transport (flip-flop) and FFA-dependent proton transport by membrane proteins (e.g., mitochondrial uncoupling proteins) are governed by the difference between FFA’s intrinsic pK_a value and the pH in the immediate membrane vicinity. Thus far, a quantitative understanding of the process has been hampered, because the pK_a value shifts upon moving the FFA from the aqueous solution into the membrane. For the same FFA, pK_a values between 5 and 10.5 were reported. Here, we systematically evaluated the dependence of pK_a values on chain length and number of double bonds by measuring the ζ-potential of liposomes reconstituted with FFA at different pH values. The experimentally obtained intrinsic pK_a values (6.25, 6.93, and 7.28 for DOPC membranes) increased with FFA chain length (C16, C18, and C20), indicating that the hydrophobic energy of transfer into the bilayer is an important pK_a determinant. The observed pK_a decrease in DOPC with increasing number of FFA double bonds (7.28, 6.49, 6.16, and 6.13 for C20:0, C20:1, C20:2, and C20:4, respectively) is in line with a decrease in transfer energy. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that the ionized carboxylic group of the FFAs occupied a fixed position in the bilayer independent of chain length, underlining the importance of Born energy. We conclude that pK_a is determined by the interplay between the energetic costs for 1) burying the charged moiety into the lipid bilayer and 2) transferring the hydrophobic protonated FFA into the bilayer.     

A human hepatocellular in vitro model to investigate steatosis

The present study was designed to define an experimental model of hepatocellular steatosis with a fat overaccumulation profile in which the metabolic and cytotoxic/apoptotic effects could be separated. This was accomplished by defining the experimental conditions of lipid exposure that lead to significant intracellular fat accumulation in the absence of overt cytotoxicity, therefore allowing to differentiate between cytotoxic and apoptotic effects. Palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1) acids are the most abundant fatty acids (FFAs) in liver triglycerides in both normal subjects and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells were incubated with a mixture of different proportions of saturated (palmitate) and unsaturated (oleate) FFAs to induce fat-overloading. Similar intracellular levels of lipid accumulation as in the human steatotic liver were achieved. Individual FFAs have a distinct inherent toxic potential. Fat accumulation, cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cells exposed to the FFA mixtures were investigated. The FFA mixture containing a low proportion of palmitic acid (oleate/palmitate, 2:1 ratio) is associated with minor toxic and apoptotic effects, thus representing a cellular model of steatosis that mimics benign chronic steatosis. On the other hand, a high proportion of palmitic acid (oleate/palmitate, 0:3 ratio) might represent a cellular model of steatosis in which saturated FFAs promote an acute harmful effect of fat overaccumulation in the liver. These hepatic cellular models are apparently suitable to experimentally investigate the impact of fat overaccumulation in the liver excluding other factors that could influence hepatocyte behaviour.     

Overwinter fasting and re-feeding in rainbow trout: plasma growth hormone and cortisol levels in relation to energy mobilisation

This study investigated the roles of cortisol and growth hormone (GH) during a period of fasting in overwintering salmonid fish. Indices of carbohydrate (plasma glucose, liver glycogen), lipid (plasma free fatty acids (FFAs)) and protein metabolism (plasma protein, total plasma amino acids) were determined, together with plasma GH, cortisol and somatolactin (SL) levels at intervals in three groups of rainbow trout (continuously fed; fasted for 9 weeks then fed; fasted for 17 weeks). In fasted fish, a decline in body weight and condition factor was accompanied by reduced plasma glucose and hepatic glycogen and increased plasma FFA. No consistent elevation of plasma GH occurred until after 8 weeks of fasting when plasma GH levels increased ninefold. No changes were observed in plasma total protein and AA until between weeks 13 and 17 when both were reduced significantly. When previously fasted fish resumed feeding, plasma glucose and FFA, and hepatic glycogen levels rapidly returned to control values and weight gain resumed. No significant changes in plasma cortisol levels, related to feeding regime, were evident at any point during the study and there was no evidence that SL played an active role in the response to fasting. The results suggest that overwinter fasting may not represent a significant nutritional stressor to rainbow trout and that energy mobilisation during fasting may be achieved without the involvement of GH, cortisol or SL.     

Free fatty acid metabolic profile and biomarkers of isolated post-challenge diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus based on GC–MS and multivariate statistical analysis

Isolated post-challenge diabetes (IPD, 2h-PG ≥11.1 mmol/L and FPG <7.0 mmol/L) is often ignored in screening for diabetes by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic profiles of serum free fatty acids (FFAs) and to identify biomarkers that can be used to distinguish patients with IPD from those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or healthy control individuals. FFA profiles of the subjects were investigated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used for classification and prediction among the three groups. The predictive correct rates were 92.86% for IPD and healthy control individuals and 90.70% for T2DM and healthy control individuals, indicating that PLS-DA could satisfactorily distinguish IPD individuals from healthy controls and those with T2DM. Finally, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing IPD from healthy control and T2DM individuals. These potential biomarkers might be helpful for diagnosis and characterization of diabetes.     

Adiponectin concentrations increase during acute FFA elevation in humans treated with rosiglitazone.

The adipocytokine adiponectin is released by adipocytes upon activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). PPAR gamma has binding sites for thiazolidinediones and free fatty acids (FFAs). To evaluate if adiponectin serum concentrations are synergistically regulated by FFAs and thiazolidinediones IN VIVO plasma FFAs were acutely elevated in healthy subjects pre-treated with rosiglitazone or placebo. Sixteen healthy male subjects (23-37 years) were included in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel-group study. Rosiglitazone 8 mg or placebo was administered daily for 21 days. On the last day plasma FFA concentrations were increased by an intravenous triglyceride/heparin infusion. Blood for determination of adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, resistin, FFAs, glucose, and insulin was drawn at baseline and on day 21 before and after 5 hours of triglyceride/heparin infusion. Adiponectin concentrations increased and FFA levels decreased in subjects receiving rosiglitazone (all p<0.05 VS. baseline). Lipid infusion significantly increased FFA plasma concentrations, with an attenuated elevation in rosiglitazone-treated subjects. However, adiponectin concentrations were only increased in subjects on rosiglitazone (p=0.018 VS. before lipid infusion), but not in controls. Leptin increased during lipid infusion in subjects receiving placebo but not in those on rosiglitazone. CRP and resistin were not affected by rosiglitazone or FFAs. The acute increase in circulating adiponectin concentrations during acutely elevated FFA depends on PPAR gamma activation in healthy subjects.     

Free Fatty Acids, Neutral Glycerides, and Phosphoglycerides in Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract: Cerebral ischemia is known to cause an increase in levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and diacylglycerols (DGs), although the mechanism(s) leading to these changes is not well understood. In this study, we examined FFA and DG levels along with those of other lipids in rats during and after transient focal cerebral ischemia induced by temporary occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and both common carotid arteries. During the duration of ischemia (15–60 min), there was a time-dependent increase (two- to 10-fold) in FFA levels in the right MCA cortex, whereas levels of DG and other lipids were not altered appreciably. FFA levels in right MCA cortex returned to near control values after reperfusion. However, following a 60-min ischemic insult, there was a second phase of FFA level increase that was evident after 16 h. The FFAs accumulated during the ischemia period were different from those after reperfusion, suggesting differences in mechanisms for their release. During the second phase of FFA release, there were increases in levels of DGs and triacylglycerols (TGs) with unusually high proportions of 20:4(n-6) and 22:6(n-3). The increases in FFA, DG, and TG levels were marked by a decrease in content of phosphoglycerides (PGs). It is interesting that the increases in levels of FFAs and neutral glycerides accounted only for 10% of the total PGs depleted. The lipid changes during this reperfusion period correlated well with the development of cortical infarct. Because FFAs are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory function, the time-dependent FFA accumulation during the ischemia period may be an important determinant for the extent of ischemia-induced injury after reperfusion.