Differential effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and oleic acid on lipid synthesis and secretion by HepG2 cells

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and oleic acid on lipid synthesis and secretion by HepG2 cells were examined to identify fatty acid specific changes in lipid metabolism that might indicate a basis for the hypolipidemic effect attributed to eicosapentaenoic acid and related n-3 fatty acids. Cellular glycerolipid synthesis, as determined by [3H]glycerol incorporation, increased in a concentration-dependent manner in cells incubated 4 h with either eicosapentaenoic acid or oleic acid at concentrations between 10 and 300 microM. [3H]Glycerol-labeled triglyceride was the principal lipid formed and increased approximately fourfold with the addition of 300 microM oleic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid. Both fatty acids also produced a 20-40% increase in the total cellular triglyceride mass. Although both fatty acids increased triglyceride synthesis to similar extents, eicosapentaenoic acid-treated cells secreted 40% less [3H]glycerol-labeled triglyceride than cells fed oleic acid. Cellular synthesis of [3H]glycerol-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine was also reduced by 40% and 30%, respectively, in cells given eicosapentaenoic acid versus cells given oleic acid. Similar results were obtained in determinations of radiolabeled oleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid incorporation. At a fatty acid concentration of 300 microM, incorporation of radiolabeled eicosapentaenoic acid into cellular triglycerides was greater than the incorporation obtained with radiolabeled oleic acid, while the reverse relationship was observed for the formation of phosphatidylcholine from the same fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid is as potent as oleic acid in inducing triglyceride synthesis but eicosapentaenoic acid is a poorer substrate than oleic acid for phospholipid synthesis. The intracellular rise in de novo-synthesized triglyceride in eicosapentaenoic acid-treated cells without corresponding increases in triglyceride secretion suggests that eicosapentaenoic acid is less effective than oleic acid in promoting the transfer of de novo-synthesized triglyceride to nascent very low density lipoproteins.     

Combined production of fucoxanthin and EPA from two diatom strains Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Cylindrotheca fusiformis cultures

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) provide significant health benefits for human population. Diatom is a potential natural livestock for the...     

Eicosapentaenoic acid utilization by bovine aortic endothelial cells: effects on prostacyclin production

We have investigated whether the presence of other fatty acids in physiologic amounts will influence the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on cellular lipid metabolism and prostaglandin production. Eicosapentaenoic acid uptake by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells was time and concentration dependent. At concentrations between 1 and 25 microM, most of the eicosapentaenoic acid was incorporated into phospholipids and of this, 60-90% was present in choline phosphoglycerides. Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibited arachidonic acid uptake and conversion to prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2) but was not itself converted to eicosanoids. Only small effects on the uptake of 10 microM eicosapentaenoic acid occurred when palmitic, stearic or oleic acids were added to the medium in concentrations up to 75 microM. In contrast, eicosapentaenoic acid uptake was reduced considerably by the presence of linoleic, n-6 eicosatrienoic, arachidonic or docosahexaenoic acids. Although a 100 microM mixture of palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid (25:10:50:15) had little effect on the uptake of 10 or 20 microM eicosapentaenoic acid, less of this acid was channeled into endothelial phospholipids. However, the fatty acid mixture did not prevent the inhibitory effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on prostaglandin I2 formation in response to either arachidonic acid or ionophore A23187. An 8 h exposure to eicosapentaenoic acid was required for the inhibition to become appreciable and, after 16 h, prostaglandin I2 production was reduced by as much as 60%. These findings indicate that the capacity of aortic endothelial cells to produce prostaglandin I2 is decreased by continuous exposure to eicosapentaenoic acid. Even if the eicosapentaenoic acid is present as a small percentage of a physiologic fatty acid mixture, it is still readily incorporated into endothelial phospholipids and retains its inhibitory effect against endothelial prostaglandin I2 formation. Therefore, these actions may be representative of the in vivo effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on the endothelium.     

Effects of different types of polyunsaturated fatty acids on cholesterol esterification in human fibroblasts.

We have enriched human fibroblasts with oleic acid, with linoleic acid and with eicosapentaenoic acid. The accumulation of cholesteryl esters in the cells and the rate of esterification of cholesterol by microsomal acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) were measured in these cells. Cholesteryl ester levels were lower in cells enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid compared with cells enriched with oleate or linoleate. We also observed significantly lower ACAT activities in the microsomes from fibroblasts enriched with the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to cells enriched with oleic acid or linoleic acid. We suggest that the presence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids might suppress cholesteryl ester accumulation and inhibit atherogenesis.     

Metabolism of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and modification of phospholipids in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

The metabolism of the linolenic acid family (n-3) of fatty acids, e.g., linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids, in cultured smooth muscle cells from rabbit aorta was compared to the metabolism of linoleic and arachidonic acids. There was a time-dependent uptake of these fatty acids into cells for 16 hr (arachidonic greater than docosahexaenoic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic greater than linolenic), and the acids were incorporated mainly into phospholipids and triglycerides. Eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids were incorporated more into phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol plus phosphatidylserine and less into phosphatidylcholine than linolenic and linoleic acids. Docosahexaenoic acid was incorporated into phosphatidylethanolamine more than linolenic and linoleic acids and into phosphatidylinositol plus phosphatidylserine less than eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids. Added linolenic acid accumulated mainly in phosphatidylcholine and did not decrease the arachidonic acid content of any phospholipid subfraction. Elongation-desaturation metabolites of linoleic acid did not accumulate. Cells treated with eicosapentaenoic acid accumulated both eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids mainly in phosphatidylethanolamine and the arachidonic acid content was decreased. Added docosahexaenoic acid accumulated mainly in phosphatidylethanolamine and decreased the content of both arachidonic and oleic acids. The following conclusions are drawn from these results. The three n-3 fatty acids are utilized differently in phospholipids. The arachidonic acid content of phospholipids is reduced by eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, but not by linolenic acid. Smooth muscle cells have little or no desaturase activity, but have significant elongation activity for polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Tetraene and pentaene leukotrienes: selective production from murine mastocytoma cells after dietary manipulation

A neoplastic mast cell tumor was grown in mice which had been raised since birth on a diet enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid. Intact harvested mastocytoma cells were stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 to produce lipoxygenase products from the polyunsaturated fatty acids liberated from the cellular membranes. Leukotriene B4, B5, C4, and C5 were isolated and characterized by HPLC retention time, ultraviolet absorption spectrometry and mass spectrometry. The arachidonic acid content of the mast cell tumor lipids was altered from 9.2 to 3.9 mole % while eicosapentaenoic acid increased from 0.5 to 4.5 mole % in response to the fish oil-supplemented diet. The relative amounts of arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids (3.9 and 4.5 mole % respectively) were associated with similar amounts of LTB4 and LTB5 synthesized by the cells. These results suggest that the epoxide leukotriene (LIA) derivative can be made efficiently from either arachidonic or eicosapentaenoic acids when both are present in cellular lipids. In contrast, the ratio of LTC4 to LTC5 (10 to 1) indicates that the reaction of LTA with glutathione may be critically dependent upon the structure of the unsaturated fatty acid with the ratio of LTC4/LTB4 (2.0) more than 10 times greater than that (0.16) for LTC5/LTB5.     

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic, on norepinephrine-induced contractions.

The relaxant responses of the rat thoracic aorta to omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic, on norepinephrine- and potassium-induced contractions were investigated. Relaxation was enhanced in vessels contracted with norepinephrine. Docosahexaenoic acid at concentrations as low as 1, 3, and 10 microM evoked significant relaxant responses (15, 23, 30%) in norepinephrine-contracted vessels as compared with responses (5, 9, 12%) in potassium-contracted vessels. Results for eicosapentaenoic acid under similar conditions were 3, 8, and 19% in norepinephrine-contracted vessels and 3, 3, and 8% in potassium-contracted vessels. Pretreatment with eicosapentaenoic (10 microM) or docosahexaenoic acids (1-10 microM) decreased the contractile response to physiologic concentrations of norepinephrine. In the presence of calcium-free medium, the omega-3 fatty acids (1-30 microM) significantly abolished sustained norepinephrine contractions but did not reduce the phasic contractions when incubated prior to norepinephrine contraction. Comparatively, the effects of docosahexaenoic acid were greater than eicosapentaenoic acid. These findings suggest that the relaxant effects of the omega-3 fatty acids are specific to the mode of contraction, i.e., alpha-adrenoceptor stimuli. This effect may be related to intracellular calcium mechanisms, since both fatty acids reversed norepinephrine-induced sustained contractions in the absence of extracellular calcium.     

Modification of CaCo-2 cell membrane fatty acid composition by eicosapentaenoic acid and palmitic acid: effect on cholesterol metabolism

Membrane fatty acid composition of CaCo-2 cells was modified by incubating the cells for 8 days in medium containing 100 microM eicosapentaenoic acid or palmitic acid. The effect of membrane fatty acid changes on cholesterol metabolism was then studied. Cells incubated with eicosapentaenoic acid had significant changes in membrane fatty acid composition with an accumulation of 20:5 and 22:5 and a reduction in monoenoic fatty acids compared to cells grown in palmitic acid. Intracellular cholesteryl esters could not be detected in CaCo-2 cells grown in the presence of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. In contrast, cells incubated with the saturated fatty acid contained 2 micrograms/mg protein of cholesteryl esters. Cells grown in eicosapentaenoic acid, however, accumulated significantly more triglycerides compared to cells modified with palmitic acid. The rate of oleic acid incorporation into triglycerides was significantly increased in cells incubated with eicosapentaenoic acid. CaCo-2 cells modified by eicosapentaenoic acid had lower rates of HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities compared to cells modified with palmitic acid. The incorporation of the two fatty acids into cellular lipids also differed. Palmitic acid was predominantly incorporated into cellular triglycerides, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid was preferentially incorporated into phospholipids with 60% of it in the phosphatidylethanolamine fraction. The data indicate that membrane fatty acid composition is significantly altered by growing CaCo-2 cells in eicosapentaenoic acid. These modifications in membrane fatty acid saturation are accompanied by a decrease in the rates of cholesterol synthesis and cholesterol esterification.     

Docosahexaenoic acid metabolism and effect on prostacyclin production in endothelial cells

Bovine aortic endothelial cultures readily take up docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Most of the DHA was incorporated into phospholipids, primarily in ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides, and plasmalogens accounted for 34% of the DHA contained in the ethanolamine fraction after a 24-h incubation. The retention of DHA in endothelial phospholipids was not greater than other polyunsaturated fatty acids and unlike arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids, DHA did not continue to accumulate in the ethanolamine phosphoglycerides after the initial incorporation. About 15% of the [14C(U)]DHA uptake was retroconverted to docosapentaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids in 24 h. Some of the newly incorporated [14C(U)]DHA was released when the cells were incubated subsequently in a medium containing serum and albumin. The released radioactivity was in the form of free fatty acid and phospholipids and after 24 h, 11% was retroconverted to docosapentaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids. Total DHA uptake was decreased only 10% by the presence of a 100 microM mixture of physiologic fatty acids, but as little as 10 microM docosatetraenoic acid reduced DHA incorporation into phospholipids by 25%. DHA was not converted to prostaglandins or lipoxygenase products by the endothelial cultures. When DHA was available, however, less arachidonic acid was incorporated into endothelial phospholipids, and less was converted to prostacyclin (PGI2). Enrichment of the endothelial cells with DHA also reduced their capacity to subsequently produce PGI2. These findings indicate that endothelial cells can play a role in DHA metabolism and like eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA can inhibit endothelial PGI2 production when it is available in elevated amounts.     

Polyphosphoinositides are derived from ether-linked inositol glycerophospholipids in rat brain

Membrane inositol glycerophospholipid (IGP) is metabolized to phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP), phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP2), and inositol triphosphate (IP3) in signaling transduction. This study was carried out to determine the subclasses of IGP involved in signaling pathway. The acyl chain moieties of the phospholipids are easily modulated by dietary fatty acids. We analyzed acyl chain composition of IGP 3-subclasses, PIP and PIP2 from rat brain after feeding sunflower seed oil enriched with linoleic acid or fish oil high in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were not incorporated into ether-linked IGP (alkenylacylglycerophosphoinositol and alkylacyl-glycerophosphoinositol), PIP and PIP2, while diacyl-glycerophosphoinositol (GPI) contained high LCPUFA. These results suggest that PIP might be phosphorylated from only the ether-linked IGP (alkenylacyl- and alkylacyl species) but not from diacyl subclass for signals to intracellular responses in the plasma membrane of rat brain.     

Comparison of the fatty-acid compositions of prey items and yolks of Australian insectivorous scincid lizards

The yolk fatty-acid profiles of a range of species of insectivorous scincid lizards generally conform to a common pattern, typified by high proportions of linoleic acid (13.5–18.5% of total fatty acids), substantial proportions of -linolenic acid (2.4–8.2%), and significant amounts of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic (1.6–3.3%), eicosapentaenoic (0.7–1.2%) and docosahexaenoic (0.7–1.6%) acids. We characterised the fatty-acid compositions of ten prey taxa that are eaten by female skinks during vitellogenesis. Linoleic acid is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in all prey, excepting Orthoptera where -linolenic acid predominates. To varying extents, -linolenic acid is present in all the prey items. Arachidonic acid forms over 1% of total fatty acids for six of the prey items. Four of the prey items contain eicosapentaenoic acid at over 1%. Most notably, docosahexaenoic acid is essentially absent from all the prey items. There is a general similarity between the fatty-acid profiles of prey and yolk, suggesting that the linoleic, -linolenic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids required for egg formation can be supplied directly from the maternal diet. However, the docosahexaenoic acid of the egg lipids cannot derive from the diet and must, therefore, be formed by biosynthesis in the maternal liver, using dietary -linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids as precursors.     

Human absorption of fish oil fatty acids as triacylglycerols, free acids, or ethyl esters

The transient rise in plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids after single-dose ingestion of fish oil as triacylglycerols, free acids, or ethyl esters with linseed oil as an absorption standard was used to determine the relative absorption of fish oil fatty acids in eight men. As free acids, the fish oil fatty acids were well absorbed (greater than or equal to 95%). As triacylglycerols, eicosapentaenoic acid (1.00 g) and docosahexaenoic acid (0.67 g) were absorbed only 68% and 57% as well as the free acids. The ethyl esters were absorbed only 20% and 21% as well as the free acids. The incomplete absorption of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids from fish oil triacylglycerols correlates well with known in vitro pancreatic lipase activity.     

Effect of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin production and phospholipid fatty acids composition in type 2 diabetic and healthy subjects in Jordan people

Dietary lipid manipulation may affect a great number of immune parameters, such as lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine synthesis. In this study, lymphocytes of diabetic type 2 were incubated with different polyunsaturated fatty acid (docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic acid) for investigated their effect on lymphoproliferation response, the concentration of interleukin 2 produced in each essay and phospholipid fatty acid composition of lymphocyte membrane. Our results found that the concanavalin A and insulin increase significantly the proliferative response while eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid inhibited that by different degrees: 47%, 37% and 19%, respectively, for healthy subjects and 39%, 29% and 13% for diabetes. However, the concentration of IL-2 produced in presence of either docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic or arachidonic acid was significantly reduced by 36%, 32% and 39%, respectively, in controls while 16%, 15% and 23%, respectively, in diabetics. On the other hand, the tested fatty acids demonstrated a major impact on the fatty acid composition of different phospholipid fractions of lymphocyte membrane but these fractions were different in their response to each fatty acid examined. For instance, the addition of docosahexaenoic acid to culture media was accompanied with a predominant composition of docosahexaenoic acid in phospholipid fractions. Also, our results showed a notable increased proportion of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in control phospholipid fractions than those of diabetic.     

Synthesis and metabolism of arachidonyl- and eicosapentaenoyl-CoA in rat aorta

In studies on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids, acyl-CoA synthetase for 5,8,11,14-20:4 (arachidonic acid) and 5,8,11,14,17-20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid) and the incorporation of these fatty acids into complex lipids and their conversion to CO2 were investigated in rat aorta. The activity of acyl-CoA synthetase was 35.9 for arachidonic acid and 63.0 for eicosapentaenoic acid (nmol/mg protein per 10 min) and the apparent Km values were 45 microM for arachidonic acid and 56 microM for eicosapentaenoic acid. Inhibition of eicosapentaenoyl-CoA synthesis by arachidonic acid was stronger than that of arachidonyl-CoA synthesis by eicosapentaenoic acid. Arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were mostly incorporated into phospholipids. The incorporation of these fatty acids into cholesterol ester and their conversion to CO2 were less than those of palmitic acid, but their incorporation into triacyglycerol was greater. The incorporation of these fatty acids into phosphatidylserine + phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine was also greater than that of palmitic acid. The patterns of incorporation of arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were similar. The physiological roles of these polyunsaturated fatty acids and the interference of eicosapentaenoic acid in arachidonic acid metabolism are discussed on the basis of these results.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid reduces hepatic synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerol by decreasing the activity of acyl-coenzyme A:1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase

The mechanism for the reduced hepatic production of triacylglycerol in the presence of eicosapentaenoic acid was explored in short-term experiments using cultured parenchymal cells and microsomes from rat liver. Oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids were the most potent stimulators of triacyl[3H]glycerol synthesis and secretion by hepatocytes, whereas erucic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, and eicosapentaenoic acids (in decreasing order) were less stimulatory. There was a linear correlation (r = 0.85, P less than 0.01) between synthesis and secretion of triacyl[3H]glycerol for the fatty acids examined. The extreme and opposite effects of eicosapentaenoic and oleic acids on triacylglycerol metabolism were studied in more detail. With increasing number of free fatty acid molecules bound per molecule of albumin, the rate of synthesis and secretion of triacyl[3H]glycerol increased, most markedly for oleic acid. Cellular uptake of the two fatty acids was similar, but more free eicosapentaenoic acid accumulated intracellularly. Eicosapentaenoic acid caused higher incorporation of [3H]water into phospholipid and lower incorporation into triacylglycerol and cholesteryl ester as compared to oleic acid. No difference was observed between the fatty acids on incorporation into cellular free fatty acids, monoacylglycerol and diacylglycerol. The amount of some 16- and 18-carbon fatty acids in triacylglycerol was significantly higher in the presence of oleic acid compared with eicosapentaenoic acid. Rat liver microsomes in the presence of added 1,2-dioleoyl-glycerol incorporated eicosapentaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoyl-CoA into triacylglycerol to a lesser extent than oleic acid and its CoA derivative. Decreased formation of triacylglycerol was also observed when eicosapentaenoyl-CoA was given together with oleoyl-CoA, whereas palmitoyl-CoA, stearoyl-CoA, linoleoyl-CoA, linolenoyl-CoA, and arachi-donoyl-CoA had no inhibitory effect. In conclusion, inhibition of acyl-CoA:1,2-diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20) by eicosapentaenoic acid may be important for reduced synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerol from the liver.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerols by cultured rat hepatocytes

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used to study the effects of eicosapentaenoic and oleic acid on synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerols associated with very low density lipoproteins. From the experiments the following was observed. Oleic acid markedly stimulates secretion as well as synthesis of triacylglycerols, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid causes very little or no increase in secretion or synthesis as compared to a fatty-acid-free medium. The effects could already be observed after 15 min incubation. The inhibitory effect of eicosapentaenoic acid is reversible within 1-2 h. Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits much of the stimulatory effect of oleic acid on synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerols. The cellular uptake of eicosapentaenoic acid is somewhat higher than that of oleic acid and the metabolism of these fatty acids to acid-soluble materials is similar. Eicosapentaenoic acid does not affect the secretory pathway of triacylglycerols per se. From these results it may be concluded that the mechanism for the inhibitory effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on triacylglycerol secretion is probably via reduced triacylglycerol synthesis.     

Omega-3 fatty acids differentially modulate enzymatic anti-oxidant systems in skeletal muscle cells

During physical activity, increased reactive oxygen species production occurs, which can lead to cell damage and in a decline of individual’s performance and health. The use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a supplement to protect the immune system has been increasing; however, their possible benefit to the anti-oxidant system is not well described. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) can be beneficial to the anti-oxidant system in cultured skeletal muscle cells. C2C12 myocytes were differentiated and treated with either eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid for 24 h. Superoxide content was quantified using the dihydroethidine oxidation method and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, and expression was quantified. We observed that the docosahexaenoic fatty acids caused an increase in superoxide production. Eicosapentaenoic acid induced catalase activity, while docosahexaenoic acid suppressed superoxide dismutase activity. In addition, we found an increased protein expression of the total manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes when cells were treated with eicosapentaenoic acid. Taken together, these data indicate that the use of eicosapentaenoic acid may present both acute and chronic benefits; however, the treatment with DHA may not be beneficial to muscle cells.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits cholesterol esterification in cultured parenchymal cells and isolated microsomes from rat liver

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on synthesis and secretion of cholesterol and cholesterol ester by cultured rat hepatocytes were studied. In the presence of eicosapentaenoic acid cellular cholesterol esterification was decreased by 50-75% compared to oleic acid as measured by radioactive precursors and mass. Secretion of cholesterol ester was reduced by 50-60% in the presence of eicosapentaenoic acid as evaluated by radiolabeled fatty acids, mevalonolactone, and mass measurement. Oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid increased, whereas eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid decreased synthesis and secretion of cholesterol ester as compared to a fatty acid-free control. Cellular and secreted free cholesterol were unaffected by eicosapentaenoic acid in comparison with oleic acid. The reduced cholesterol esterification was observed within 1 h and lasted for at least 20 h. Eicosapentaenoic acid caused lower cholesterol esterification than oleic acid in the concentration range 0.2-1.0 mM fatty acid and reduced the stimulatory effect of oleic acid on cholesterol ester formation. Cholesterol esterification and release of cholesterol ester were markedly increased by 25-hydroxycholesterol in the presence of eicosapentaenoic acid as well as oleic acid. Experiments with liver microsomes revealed that radioactive eicosapentaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoyl-CoA were poorer substrates (7-30%) for cholesterol esterification than oleic acid and oleoyl-CoA. Reduced formation of cholesterol ester was also observed when eicosapentaenoyl-CoA was given together with labeled oleoyl-CoA, whereas palmitoyl-CoA, stearoyl-CoA, linolenoyl-CoA, and arachidonoyl-CoA had no inhibitory effect. In conclusion, eicosapentaenoic acid reduced cellular cholesterol esterification by inhibiting the activity of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase. The lowered cholesterol esterification caused by eicosapentaenoic acid secondly decreased secretion of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol ester.     

Methyl-directed desaturation of arachidonic to eicosapentaenoic acid in the fungus, Saprolegnia parasitica.

The lipids of Saprolegnia parasitica contain 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid as major constituent. No other acid having (n-3) structure was detected, but 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic (arachidonic) acid and its common precursors of (n-6) structure are present in significant amounts. During rapid growth of the organism, [1-14C]acetate was efficiently incorporated into fatty acids. Arachidonic acid was labeled after 2 h to nearly the same extent as any precursor acid and 14C in eicosapentaenoic acid reached this level within 6 h. Results of incubations with labeled fatty acids indicated that, in S. parasitica, oleic, linoleic, (6,9,12)-linolenic and arachidonic acids are major intermediates in the pathway to eicosapentaenoic acid. Methyl-directed desaturation of (n-6) to (n-3) acids does not occur with C18 acids but is specific for the polyunsaturated C20 chain length. Arachidonic acid is the direct precursor of eicosapentaenoic acid.     

Production of polyunsaturated fatty acids by Pythium ultimum in solid-state cultivation

The oleaginous fungus Pythium ultimum was cultivated on various solid substrates in order to achieve fungal oil enriched in the polyunsaturated fatty acids arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Cultivation parameters, such as incubation temperature and time, substrate composition, and moisture were optimized, so as to obtain as much as 3.5 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 2.6 mg arachidonic acid/g of wet substrate consisting of 28.5% pearled barley, 5.75% spent malt grains, 5.75% linseed oil, and 60% nutrient solution.