Decreased Liver Fatty Acid Δ‐6 and Δ‐5 Desaturase Activity in Obese Patients |
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| Authors: | Julia Araya Ramón Rodrigo Paulina Pettinelli A Verónica Araya Jaime Poniachik Luis A Videla |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile;2. Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile;3. Department of Endocrinology, University of Chile Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile;4. Department of Medicine, University of Chile Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile |
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| Abstract: | Steatosis in obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients is a clinicopathological condition associated with depletion of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), a feature that may be related to PUFA desaturation. Liver Δ‐6 and Δ‐5 desaturase (Δ‐6D and Δ‐5D) activities, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR), and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) were evaluated in 13 obese patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy with gastro‐jejunal anastomosis in Roux‐en‐Y and 15 nonobese patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (controls). Liver Δ‐6D and Δ‐5D activities in obese patients were 87% and 66% lower than controls (P < 0.001), respectively, with a 62% diminution in the Δ‐6D/Δ‐5D activity ratio (P < 0.02). Δ‐6D inversely correlated with both HOMAIR (r = ?0.70, P < 0.0001) and oxidative stress assessed as the reciprocal value of FRAP (r = ?0.40, P < 0.05). Δ‐5D negatively correlated with HOMAIR (r = ?0.48, P < 0.01) but not with FRAP?1 (r = ?0.13, not significant). In conclusion, liver PUFA desaturation is diminished in obese NAFLD patients, in association with underlying insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which may play a role in altering lipid metabolism favoring fatty infiltration. |
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