Concentration and fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters of normal human brain

Abstract— —Cholesteryl esters were isolated from the cerebral cortex and white matter of human brains at different ages, and their concentration and composition determined. The esters were separated from other lipids by chromatography on silicic acid and finally purified by TLC. The fatty acids were converted to the methyl esters by alkaline trans-methylation and analysed by GLC. A TLC method was elaborated for quantitative determination of small amounts of cholesteryl esters in the presence of free cholesterol. The concentration of cholesteryl esters was only 0·1–0·2 per cent of the total cholesterol content of cerebral tissue in older children and adults. During early myelination the concentration was many times greater, especially in the white matter but it never exceeded 2 per cent of the total cholesterol in any subject. The major fatty acids of human brain cholesteryl esters were oleic, palmitic, palmitoleic and arachidonic acid. After completion of myelination, arachidonic acid constituted the major fatty acid. There were fairly small differences in the fatty acid pattern of the cholesteryl esters between grey and white matter, but the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was larger in the grey matter. Cholesteryl esters appear to play an important role in the metabolism of the phosphoglyceride fatty acids in cerebral tissue.     

Tumor lipids and liver lipid metabolism in the model human lung carcinoma/nude mice

Tumor lipids were studied in the experimental model Human Lung Carcinoma/nude mice as well as the effect of this human neoplasm on the host liver lipid metabolism. Fatty acid profiles from tumoral lipids revealed the loss of specificity for fatty acid composition in triglycerides. Host liver fatty acid composition and cholesterol metabolism were affected by the implanted human lung tissue. A noticeable increase ratio between saturated/unsaturated fatty acids was observed in host liver fatty acid phospholipids (1.17 +/- 0.17) in comparison to control liver (0.84 +/- 0.04). Cholesterol synthesis was assessed "in vivo" by means of [14C]acetate incorporation. The specific radioactivity of [14C] cholesterol was increased by a factor of about 6 in host liver as compared with control liver. This observation along with the marked decrease in the cholesterol content of host liver and the hypocholesterolemia detected in the host mice led us to suggest an increase in the liver cholesterol catabolism promoted by the presence of the tumor.     

Lipids and fatty acids of the southwestern corn borer,Diatraea grandiosella

The lipids of the adults and of several immature stages of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella, were studied after they were fed natural corn stalks or artificial diets. Linoleic acid (18:2) was the major fatty acid of the neutral lipids in both the natural and the artificial diets, but aleic acid (18:1) was the principal neutral lipid in all insect stages. Also, linoleic acid and oleic acid were the principal acids in the insect phospholipids of all stages. The content of linoleic acid in the natural diet was also high, but that in the artificial diet appeared to be much too low for insect requirements. Phosphatidyl choline (PC) and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) were the major phospholipids in all growth stages. Thus, in larvae diapausing in the field, the unsaturated fatty acid content of PC was 59·3 per cent, primarily 16:1 and 18:1, and PE was 87·4 per cent, primarily 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3, and the fatty acids in the number 1- and 2-positions of PC were 53·6 and 97·2 per cent unsaturated, respectively. The haemolymph of diapausing southwestern corn borer larvae contained primarily glycerides but also had some PC and PE. Fat body from diapausing larvae contained primarily 16:0, 16:1, and 18:1 in a ratio of 1 : 1 : 2. Thus lipids of the southwestern corn borer do not reflect dietary lipids as closely as do other insects studied.     

Responses to oleic,linoleic and α-linolenic acids in high-carbohydrate,high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats

We investigated the changes in adiposity, cardiovascular and liver structure and function, and tissue fatty acid compositions in response to oleic acid-rich macadamia oil, linoleic acid-rich safflower oil and α-linolenic acid-rich flaxseed oil (C18 unsaturated fatty acids) in rats fed either a diet high in simple sugars and mainly saturated fats or a diet high in polysaccharides (cornstarch) and low in fat. The fatty acids induced lipid redistribution away from the abdomen, more pronounced with increasing unsaturation; only oleic acid increased whole-body adiposity. Oleic acid decreased plasma total cholesterol without changing triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids, whereas linoleic and α-linolenic acids decreased plasma triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids but not cholesterol. α-Linolenic acid improved left ventricular structure and function, diastolic stiffness and systolic blood pressure. Neither oleic nor linoleic acid changed the left ventricular remodeling induced by high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet, but both induced dilation of the left ventricle and functional deterioration in low fat-diet-fed rats. α-Linolenic acid improved glucose tolerance, while oleic and linoleic acids increased basal plasma glucose concentrations. Oleic and α-linolenic acids, but not linoleic acid, normalized systolic blood pressure. Only oleic acid reduced plasma markers of liver damage. The C18 unsaturated fatty acids reduced trans fatty acids in the heart, liver and skeletal muscle with lowered stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 activity index; linoleic and α-linolenic acids increased accumulation of their C22 elongated products. These results demonstrate different physiological and biochemical responses to primary C18 unsaturated fatty acids in a rat model of human metabolic syndrome.     

The effect of a combined dietary treatment with cholesterol and cholic acid on the lipid metabolism of geese at low or high choline concentrations

A previous study demonstrated that a dietary treatment of young geese with cholesterol and cholic acid raises lipid concentrations in the liver. The present study was carried out to investigate whether such a lipid accumulation caused by those hyperlipidemic compounds can be intensified by low dietary choline concentrations. Therefore, 38 eight‐week old geese were divided into four groups of 9 or 10 animals each and received a basal diet poor in choline which consisted predominately of maize and soy protein isolate over a period of 8 weeks. Treatment factors were supplementation of diets with cholesterol and cholic acid (0 vs. 5 g of cholesterol and cholic acid each per kg) and supplementation of choline chloride (0 vs. 1.5g/kg). Final body weights as well as carcass weights were neither influenced significantly by dietary treatment with cholesterol and cholic acid nor by low dietary choline concentrations. However, feeding diets supplemented with cholesterol and cholic acid markedly increased liver weights (two‐fold), hepatic triglyceride (3.7‐fold) and cholesterol (12‐fold) concentrations and percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids at the expense of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. In geese fed diets with cholesterol and cholic acid, insufficient choline supply did not intensify, but even slightly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation. Geese fed diets with cholesterol and cholic acid exhibited markedly increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in plasma and very low‐density lipoproteins, regardless of the choline supply. Muscle tissue of geese fed diets supplemented with cholesterol and cholic acid exhibited also increased concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol whereas the fatty acid composition of muscle lipids remained unchanged. Among geese without hyperlipidemic treatment, concentrations of triglycerides in plasma and very low‐density lipoproteins as well as the concentrations of phosphatidylcholine in liver and muscle tissue were not reduced by low dietary choline concentrations. Therefore, it is suggested that those animals were able to synthesize endogenous sufficient choline.     

Rôle of labelled dietary fatty acids and acetate in phospholipids during the metamorphosis of Pieris brassicae

The incorporation of labelled dietary palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids into neutral (NL) and phospholipids (PL) during the metamorphosis of Pieris brassicae was studied, and the ability of the fat body to incorporate acetate into PL determined. Thirty-three per cent of total lipid in early fifth instar larvae (minus haemolymph) is PL, while the corresponding value in female 4-day pupae is 13·0 per cent and in the fat body of 4-day pupae 6·3 per cent. Incorporation of label into PL was studied more closely and in all cases the label was recovered from phosphatidylcholine (PTC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PTE). The label from palmitate was also found in sphingomyelin and possibly phosphatidylserine. Specific activity of PL in the case of palmitic and linolenic acids was greatest in late fifth instar larvae. In early fifth instar larvae on palmitic acid-1-¹⁴C 39·0 per cent of label was in PTC, 52·8 per cent in PTE, and 2·0 per cent in sphingomyelin. In late fifth instar 45·0 per cent was in PTC, 45·5 per cent in PTE, and 6·5 per cent in sphingomyelin, while in 4-day female pupae 45·2 per cent was in PTC, 41·3 per cent in PTE, and 13·5 per cent in sphingomyelin. The label from linolenic acid only varied a little from early fifth instar to 4-day pupae, 51·8 per cent being in PTC and 48·2 per cent in PTE in early fifth instar larvae. The label from linoleic acid is incorporated in fat body PL almost exclusively in PTC and PTE, 55·8 and 43·2 per cent respectively in 4-day female pupae. Injected acetate is distributed after 1 hr between PTC (58·6 per cent), PTE (24·4 per cent), and sphingomyelin (17·0 per cent). It was concluded that the polyunsaturated acids are proportionately more common in PTE than in other PL types, and that the fatty acids of sphingomyelin are mainly those that the insect is capable of synthesizing from acetate. Palmitic acid is desaturated by Pieris to palmitoleic acid and the latter possibly utilized in PTE to compensate for a deficiency of linolenic acid in the artificial diet. No saturation of linoleic or linolenic acid was found. The rates of PL and NL synthesis during development and the rôle of the investigated fatty acids in the biosynthesis of PL are discussed.     

Fatty acids of pulmonary surfactant phosphatidylcholine from fetal rabbit lung tissue in culture. Biosynthesis of n-10 monoenoic fatty acids

We have previously reported that fetal rabbit lung tissue in organ culture produces a lamellar body material (pulmonary surfactant) with a lower percentage of disaturated phosphatidylcholine than is typically found in rabbit lung in vivo (Longmuir, K.J., C. Resele-Tiden, and L. Sykes. 1985. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 833: 135-143). This investigation was conducted to identify all fatty acids present in the lamellar body phosphatidylcholine, and to determine whether the low level of disaturated phosphatidylcholine is due to excessive unsaturated fatty acid at position sn-1, sn-2, or both. Fetal rabbit lung tissue, 23 days gestation, was maintained in culture for 7 days in defined (serum-free) medium. Phospholipids were labeled in culture with [1-14C]acetate or [U-14C]glycerol (to follow de novo fatty acid biosynthesis), or with [1-14C]palmitic acid (to follow incorporation of exogenously supplied fatty acid). Radiolabeled fatty acid methyl esters obtained from lamellar body phosphatidylcholine were first separated by reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography (TLC) into two fractions of 1) 14:0 + 16:1 and 2) 16:0 + 18:1. Complete separation of the individual saturated and monoenoic fatty acids was achieved by silver nitrate TLC of the two fractions. Monoenoic fatty acid double bond position was determined by permanganate-periodate oxidation followed by HPLC of the carboxylic acid phenacyl esters. Lamellar body phosphatidylcholine contained four monoenoic fatty acids: 1) palmitoleic acid, 16:1 cis-9; 2) oleic acid, 18:1 cis-9; 3) cis-vaccenic acid, 18:1 cis-11; and 4) 6-hexadecenoic acid, 16:1 cis-6. In addition, 8-octadecenoic acid, 18:1 cis-8, was found in the fatty acids of the tissue homogenate. The abnormally low disaturated phosphatidylcholine content in lamellar body material was the result of abnormally high levels of monoenoic fatty acid (principally 16:1 cis-9) found at position sn-2. Position sn-1 contained normal levels of saturated fatty acid. The biosynthesis of the unusual n-10 fatty acids was observed from the start of culture throughout the entire 7-day culture period, and was observed in incubations of tissue slices of day 23 fetal rabbit lung. This is the first report of the biosynthesis of n-10 fatty acids (16:1 cis-6 and 18:1 cis-8) in a mammalian tissue other than skin, where these fatty acids are found in the secretory product (sebum) of sebaceous glands.     

The fatty acid composition of sphingolipids from bovine CNS axons and myelin

Abstract— Cerebrosides, sulphatides and sphingomyelin were isolated from bovine CNS myelin and from myelin-free axons derived from myelinated axons. The fatty acid composition of each sphingolipid was determined by gas-liquid chromatography of the fatty acid methyl esters. In each case the fatty acids of the axonal sphingolipids were of shorter average chain length than those from the corresponding myelin lipids. These differences, however, were small and the fatty acids of the axonal cerebrosides and sulphatides were similar in average chain length to those reported previously for bovine myelin. The principal unsubstituted acid of both cerebroside and sulphatide from axons was 24: 1, with the total long chain acids (> C₁₈) amounting to 80 and 85 per cent, respectively. The corresponding figures for myelin galactolipids were 94 and 95 per cent long chain acids. The principal α-hydroxy acid of both axonal galactolipids was 24 h:0, with cerebroside having 80 per cent and sulphatide 92 per cent long chain acids, compared to the figures of 87 and 97 per cent for the corresponding myelin lipids. In axonal sphingomyelin the major acid was 18:0 (compared to 24:1 in myelin) and the long chain acids were 61 per cent of the total vs 76 per cent of the total for myelin sphingomyelin. The non-identity of axonal and myelin sphingolipid fatty acids substantiates the belief that they are intrinsic axonal constituents. These findings do not rule out the possibility of a close metabolic relationship between the sphingolipids of the axon and its myelin sheath.     

Utilization of fatty acids by Pieris brassicae reared on artificial and natural diets

The fatty acid composition of Pieris brassicae was measured from larvae reared on four different diets. Pieris can alter the composition of fatty acids in the diet through selective incorporation and synthesis. Oleate is preferentially accumulated on artificial diets (15·9 per cent in diet, 43·8 per cent in neutral lipid (NL) of fifth instar larvae), but not equally on natural diets (18·1 per cent in Brassica napus, 25·6 per cent in the NL of fifth instar larvae). Incorporation of linolenate appears to depend on the concentration of both linolenate and linoleate in the diet. With dietary levels of 35·7% linolenate and 32·2% linoleate, fifth instar larvae contain 12·2 and 16·0 per cent, respectively, of these acids. With 45·8% linolenate and 12·5% linoleate in the diet, fifth instar larvae contain 44·1 and 11·6 per cent of these acids, respectively, in the NL. Palmitoleate is actively synthetized on the artificial diets; with trace amounts of dietary palmitoleate, fifth instar larvae have 9·3 per cent of this acid in the NL. Pieris regulates the uptake of linoleate from the diet at the intestinal wall as was shown by linoleic acid-1-¹⁴C, and is unable to convert dietary linoleate to any of the 18-carbon analogues. The female apparently accumulates linolenate into egg phospholipids on the artificial diet, but in general the fatty acid composition of the eggs resembles that of the fat body.     

Lipid composition of the vascular system during infancy, childhood, and young adulthood

The object of this study was to determine the changes in lipid composition that occur in blood vessels from infancy to young adulthood. Analyses included levels of total cholesterol, total triglyceride, phospholipid, and cholesteryl ester fatty acids, and the distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Triglyceride, total and monoenoic fatty acids, and linoleic acid were lower in the ascending, thoracic, and abdominal aorta than in the pulmonary artery and inferior vena cava. Phospholipids and arachidonic acid were higher in aortic segments than in the other two vessels. Aortic lipids showed significant changes with increasing age: total cholesterol and total fatty acids decreased from <1 wk to 5 yr, then increased to 22 yr of age. Triglycerides decreased whereas cholesteryl esters increased from 10 to 22 yr of age. Saturated fatty acids decreased from 1 wk to 10 yr, then remained relatively constant. Linoleic acid (3.7-9.8% of total fatty acids) and arachidonic acid (15.8-21.7%) both increased with age; the increase in cholesteryl linoleate was highly significant. After 10 yr of age, total cholesterol and total fatty acids were significantly higher in abdominal than in ascending and thoracic segments of aorta.     

Effect of iridoid glucoside on plasma lipid profile, tissue fatty acid changes, inflammatory cytokines, and GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The present study was designed to examine the antihyperlipidaemic potential of iridoid glucoside isolated from Vitex negundo leaves in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The levels of cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, lipoproteins, free fatty acids, phospholipids, fatty acid composition, proinflammatory cytokines, muscle glycogen content, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression were estimated in control and diabetic rats. Oral administration of iridoid glucoside at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight per day to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a period of 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in plasma and tissue (liver and kidney) cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids. In addition, the decreased plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and increased plasma levels of low density lipoprotein- and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in diabetic rats were restored to near normal levels following treatment with iridoid glucoside. The fatty acid composition of the liver and kidney was analyzed by gas chromatography. The altered fatty acid composition in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats was also restored upon treatment with iridoid glucoside. Moreover, the elevated plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and decreased levels of muscle glycogen and GLUT4 expression in the skeletal muscle of diabetic rats were reinstated to their normal levels via enhanced secretion of insulin from the remnant β cells of pancreas by the administration of iridoid glucoside. The effect produced by iridoid glucoside on various parameters was comparable with that of glibenclamide, a well-known antihyperglycemic drug.     

Accumulation of histidine, 3-methylhistidine, and homocarnosine in the brains of protein-calorie deficient monkeys

Abstract— Seventeen monkeys (M. nemestrina and M. fascicularis) aged 10 months to about 5 yr were divided into two groups and fed either an adequate protein diet (20% casein) or a low-protein diet (2% casein). The diets were supplied to the animals in restricted amount (200 g/animal in two daily rations). In one experiment, the malnourished animals were initially fed a diet containiing 8 per cent protein and the protein content of the diet was gradually reduced over a period of 9 months, to 2 per cent. After about 3 months on the 2 per cent protein diet, the malnourished monkeys showed growth failure, severe anorexia, peri-ocular oedema, tremors of the head and limbs, atrophy of several visceral organs, fatty liver, hypoalbuminaemia, and depressed serum levels of many essential amino acids with an elevation of the ratio of non-essential to essential amino acids. These features are consistent with protein-calorie malnutrition. Examination of the brains revealed significant alterations in the levels of glycerophosphoethanolamine (—40 per cent), glutamic acid (—25 per cent), histidine (+230 per cent), homocamosine (+185 per cent), 3-methyl-histidine (+147 per cent), lysine (+55 per cent), phenylalanine (+33 per cent) and tyrosine (+26 per cent) in comparison to findings on the well-fed monkeys. The possible implications of elevated cerebral contents of homocarnosine in malnourished monkeys are discussed in the light of several reported human cases in whom neurological disorders are associated with increased histidine-containing dipeptides in the brain, CSF, blood and urine.     

Effect of Animal and Industrial Trans Fatty Acids on HDL and LDL Cholesterol Levels in Humans – A Quantitative Review

Background

Trans fatty acids are produced either by industrial hydrogenation or by biohydrogenation in the rumens of cows and sheep. Industrial trans fatty acids lower HDL cholesterol, raise LDL cholesterol, and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The effects of conjugated linoleic acid and trans fatty acids from ruminant animals are less clear. We reviewed the literature, estimated the effects trans fatty acids from ruminant sources and of conjugated trans linoleic acid (CLA) on blood lipoproteins, and compared these with industrial trans fatty acids.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We searched Medline and scanned reference lists for intervention trials that reported effects of industrial trans fatty acids, ruminant trans fatty acids or conjugated linoleic acid on LDL and HDL cholesterol in humans. The 39 studies that met our criteria provided results of 29 treatments with industrial trans fatty acids, 6 with ruminant trans fatty acids and 17 with CLA. Control treatments differed between studies; to enable comparison between studies we recalculated for each study what the effect of trans fatty acids on lipoprotein would be if they isocalorically replaced cis mono unsaturated fatty acids. In linear regression analysis the plasma LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio increased by 0.055 (95%CI 0.044–0.066) for each % of dietary energy from industrial trans fatty acids replacing cis monounsaturated fatty acids The increase in the LDL to HDL ratio for each % of energy was 0.038 (95%CI 0.012–0.065) for ruminant trans fatty acids, and 0.043 (95% CI 0.012–0.074) for conjugated linoleic acid (p = 0.99 for difference between CLA and industrial trans fatty acids; p = 0.37 for ruminant versus industrial trans fatty acids).

Conclusions/Significance

Published data suggest that all fatty acids with a double bond in the trans configuration raise the ratio of plasma LDL to HDL cholesterol.     

Altered Lipid Composition of Surfactant and Lung Tissue in Murine Experimental Malaria-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Malaria-associated acute lung injury (MA-ALI) and its more severe form malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (MA-ARDS) are common, often fatal complications of severe malaria infections. However, little is known about their pathogenesis. In this study, biochemical alterations of the lipid composition of the lungs were investigated as possible contributing factors to the severity of murine MA-ALI/ARDS. C57BL/6J mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65 to induce lethal MA-ARDS, or with Plasmodium chabaudi AS, a parasite strain that does not induce lung pathology. The lipid profile of the lung tissue from mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65 developing MA-ALI/ARDS, but not that from mice without lung pathology or controls, was characterized by high levels of phospholipids -mainly phosphatidylcholine- and esterified cholesterol. The high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the linoleic/oleic fatty acid ratio of the latter reflect the fatty acid composition of plasma cholesterol esters. In spite of the increased total polyunsaturated fatty acid pool, which augments the relative oxidability of the lung membranes, and the presence of hemozoin, a known pro-oxidant, no excess oxidative stress was detected in the lungs of Plasmodium berghei NK65 infected mice. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of Plasmodium berghei NK65 infected mice was characterized by high levels of plasma proteins. The phospholipid profile of BAL large and small aggregate fractions was also different from uninfected controls, with a significant increase in the amounts of sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidylcholine and the decrease in phosphatidylglycerol. Both the increase of proteins and lysophosphatidylcholine are known to decrease the intrinsic surface activity of surfactant. Together, these data indicate that an altered lipid composition of lung tissue and BAL fluid, partially ascribed to oedema and lipoprotein infiltration, is a characteristic feature of murine MA-ALI/ARDS and possibly contribute to lung dysfunction.     

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF CEREBROSIDES IN MICROSOMES AND MYELIN OF MOUSE BRAIN

Abstract— The fatty acid composition of cerebrosides isolated from myelin and from light and heavy microsomes of adult mouse brain was determined. 2-Hydroxy fatty acids represented 80 per cent of the fatty acids in myelin cerebrosides and approximately 55 per cent of the fatty acids in both light and heavy microsomes. In myelin, the majority of the fatty acids, both normal and hydroxy, were of chain length > C-20; in microsomes, shorter chain acids (C-16 to C-20) predominated.     

Study on chemical composition and physical properties of the Hamri (Barbus luteus) and Balaout (Chondrostoma regium) fish meat,oil and impact of its oils on cholesterol,triglyceride, HDL and blood sugar of laboratory rats

The study aimed at investigating the meat chemical composition and physical properties of oil of the Hamri (Barbus luteus) and Balaout (Chondrostoma regium) fish and its oil content or fatty acids, and also to know the impact of its oils on the level of cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and blood sugar levels of laboratory rats. The study area extended from the province of Shirqat and Balad district to the province of Salah al-Din. The approximate percentages of meat from Hamri were 72.13, 19.74, 5.07 and 1.60 % for the moisture, protein, fat and ash respectively, and 71.63, 19.98, 4.96 and 2.04% respectively from Balaout. The extract oil from 2 types of fish differed significantly in Iodine value, Peroxide value, and Acid value and in saponification number. The fatty acids profiles results showed that oils from Hamri and Balaout fish meat consisted of 44.31 and 55.76% of Saturated fatty acid, 36.10 and 25.41% of poly unsaturated fatty acid, and 18.17 and 25.41% poly unsaturated fatty acids respectively. The experiment laboratory rats showed decreases in cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar level, and increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL). In conclusion, it is recommended that this oil can be used in human diet for health benefits.     

The effect of N-stearoylethanolamine on lipid composition of the metastases and conditionally normal lung tissue in mice with Lewis carcinoma

Influence of NSE on lipid composition of metastases and the neighbouring conditionally normal lung tissue in mice with Lewis carcinoma was investigated. The processes of peroxidation in investigated tissues were also studied. It was shown that under the influence of NSE the high level of antioxidant activity in the metastases was decreased, while in the neighbouring conditionally normal lung tissue the catalase activity was increased. The content of the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in comparison with animals which were not fed by NSE was decreased. The development of carcinoma was accompanied by significant decrease of cholesterol level and by the increase of unsaturated fatty acids esterified in membrane phospholipids in both the metastases and the neighbouring conditionally normal lung tissue. An analysis of the phospholipid spectra shows that under tumor growth in investigated tissues the high-level lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) was observed. The content of phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl serine (PS) was found to be significantly lower than in the lung of intact animals. It was found that administration of NSE to tumor-bearing mice contributed to the increase of cholesterol level, to the decrease of omega-6/omega-3 ratio polyunsaturated fatty acids of total phospholipids. NSE modulated the phospholipid membrane composition in both the metastases and the neighbouring conditionally normal lung tissue.     

Fat Metabolism in the West African Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis): PART I. FATTY ACID FORMATION IN THE MATURING KERNEL

Using a column chromatographic technique for the estimationand identification of fatty acids, a study has been made offat formation in developing Oil Palm kernels from 10 weeks afterpollination to full maturity (20 weeks), during which time thefat content may increase a hundredfold. Nuts from three differenttrees have been analysed and differences between these in ratesof maturation (as indicated by appearance of the endosperm)can be directly correlated with changes in character of theoil present. Amounts of reducing sugars, sucrose, and starch in the developingendosperm have also been followed, but these carbohydrates arepresent throughout in low concentration, and it is assumed thattranslocation from the rest of the plant to the developing kernelmust account for the major part of storage material. The mature kernel contains in its fat an unusual mixture ofeight different saturated fatty acids. The major such componentis lauric acid (46·1 to 49·5 per cent.) and thereare present two common unsaturated acids, oleic (15·7to 16·5 per cent.) and linoleic acid (0·7 to 3·1per cent.). At the earliest stage examined (10 weeks after pollination)all these acids are.present but in altered proportions, unsaturatedacids forming a larger fraction (36·5 to 81·2per cent., according to the tree investigated), and lauric acid(1·4 to 8·5 per cent.) a smaller. The results suggest that young kernels contain a small quantityof a largely unsaturated ‘protoplasmic’ fat, andthat at a certain stage in development some physiological changein the tissue results in the formation, in large quantities,of a new, highly saturated storage fat. No fatty acid interconversionscould be demonstrated although there is some suggestion thatoleic acid behaves anomalously. There is evidence that free fatty acids are not accumulatedprior to esterification.     

SIMULTANEOUS INCORPORATION OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED [9, 10-3H2]OLEIC AND [1-14C]LINOLEIC ACIDS INTO LIPIDS OF THE ADULT RAT BRAIN

—The incorporation of an orally administered mixture of [9,10-³H₂joleic acid and [1-¹⁴C]linoleic acid into the brain and spinal cord lipids was maximal after 24 h compared with 4 h for extraneural tissue. In the latter, both acids were utilized equally well for triglyceride biosynthesis, but linoleate entered phosphatidylcholine more rapidly than oleate. Oleic acid was preferentially incorporated into newly synthesized cholesterol esters although 4 h after dosing most cholesterol esters present in serum were formed preferentially from linoleate presumably by the action of lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase. In neural tissue, a considerable amount of [1-¹⁴C]linoleate was metabolized to higher polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas in the case of oleate, 90 per cent of the tritium activity remained in monoenic acids at all time periods studied. Both acids were initially incorporated most rapidly into the lecithin fraction of brain and spinal cord, but after 7 days diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine had the highest specific activity. These data are consistent with the view that the uptake of labelled fatty acids by the brain takes place principally as free acids but that some uptake of esterified forms, probably largely as phosphatidylcholine, also occurs. The low linoleate content of the brain and probably also of cerebrospinal fluid cannot be explained on the basis of a selective restriction on the uptake of this lipid from plasma.     

LIPID COMPOSITION OF OPTIC NERVE MYELIN

Abstract— Myelin was isolated from bovine optic nerves by differential ultracentrifugation and its lipid composition was analysed. Optic nerve myelin contained 76·3 per cent lipid. The major lipids were cholesterol, ethanolamine glycerophosphatides (EGP) and cerebroside. Serine glycerophosphatides (SGP), sphingomyelin and cerebroside sulphate were present in smaller proportions. EGP and SGP contained 34·6 and 0·5 per cent aldehydes. The major fatty aldehydes were palmitaldehyde, stearaldehyde and octadecenaldehyde. The fatty acids of EGP, SGP and choline glycerophosphatides (CGP) were chiefly 16:0, 18:0 and 18:1, with small proportions of 20 and 22 carbon polyunsaturates. The sphingolipids contained predominantly saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids of chain lengths of 20–26 carbon atoms. Optic nerve myelin and white matter myelin resembled one another closely in overall lipid composition and in the fatty acid compositions of their constituent lipids. Optic nerve myelin and white matter myelin are chemically similar membranes, but both of these differ in their lipid composition from spinal root myelin.