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Sidedness studies of thylakoid phosphatidylglycerol in higher plants.

The transmembrane distribution of phosphatidylglycerol was determined in thylakoids from barley (Hordeum vulgare), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplasts. Phospholipase A2 and phospholipase D digestion and chemical-labelling methods were used. Phosphatidylglycerol was preferentially localized in the outer (stromal) leaflet. The proportion of the phospholipid in this leaflet ranged from about 66% in pea to about 75% for barley and lettuce thylakoids. One of the main fatty acids, trans-delta 3-hexadecenoic acid, was exclusively located in the outer leaflet in all three plant types. The data are discussed in relation to suggested roles for phosphatidylglycerol in thylakoid function.

Cell Membrane↗

Lipid domains in plasma membranes from rat liver.

The existence of fluid and solid lipid domains in isolated rat-liver plasma membranes was evaluated using the fluorescent fatty acids trans-parinaric and cis-parinaric acid as probe molecules for solid and fluid membrane areas, respectively. The fluorescence probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene indicated that a phase transition was present in the liver plasma membrane between 18 degrees C and 30 degrees C. At intermediate temperatures, cis-parinaric acid, which partitioned approximately equally into fluid and solid lipid areas, detected two lipid domains: the mole fractions of fluid and solid lipid domains at 24 degrees C were 0.32 and 0.68 while the mole fractions of cis-parinaric acid in each domain were 0.34 and 0.66, respectively. The dissociation constant, aqueous to membrane lipid partition coefficient, and bound to free ratio for trans-parinaric acid were 7.0 +/- 0.7 microM, 4.0 +/- 0.6 x 10(6), and 83:17, respectively. The affinity of the membrane for cis-parinaric acid was twofold lower than for trans-parinaric acid. The trans-parinaric acid partitioned preferentially into solid lipid, Ksp/f = 3.30, while the cis-parinaric acid partitioned equally between fluid and solid phases Ksp/f = 0.92. Thus, the data demonstrate the coexistence of fluid and solid domains in rat liver plasma membranes.

Animals↗

Bisallylic hydroxylation and epoxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by cytochrome P450.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids can be oxygenated by cytochrome P450 to hydroxy and epoxy fatty acids. Two major classes of hydroxy fatty acids are formed by hydroxylation of the omega-side chain and by hydroxylation of bisallylic methylene carbons. Bisallylic cytochrome P450-hydroxylases transform linoleic acid to 11-hydroxylinoleic acid, arachidonic acid to 13-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-tetraenoic acid, 10-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-tetraenoic acid and 7-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-tetraenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid to 16-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-pent aenoic acid, 13-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-pent aenoic acid and 10-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-pent aenoic acid as major metabolites. The bisallylic hydroxy fatty acids are chemically unstable and decompose rapidly to cis-trans conjugated hydroxy fatty acids during acidic extractive isolation. Bisallylic hydroxylase activity appears to be augmented in microsomes induced by the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone and by some other agents, but the P450 gene families of these hydroxylases have yet to be determined. The fatty acid epoxides, which are formed by cytochrome P450, are chemically stable, but are hydrolyzed to diols by soluble epoxide hydrolases. Epoxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids is a prominent pathway of metabolism in the liver and the renal cortex and epoxy-genase activity appears to be under homeostatic control in the kidney. Many arachidonate epoxygenases have been identified belonging to the CYP2C gene subfamily. Epoxygenases have also been found in the central nervous system, endocrine organs, the heart and endothelial cells. Epoxides of arachidonic acid have been found to exert pharmacological effects on many cells.

Animals↗

Investigation of radical-based damage of RNase A in aqueous solution and lipid vesicles.

The gamma-irradiation of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) in aqueous solution were investigated at different doses by vibrational spectroscopy as well as enzymatic assay, electrophoresis, and HPLC analysis. Both functional and structural changes of the protein were caused by attack of H(*) atoms and (*)OH radicals. In particular, Raman spectroscopy was shown to be a useful tool in identifying conformational changes of the protein structure and amino acidic residues that are preferential sites of the radical attack (i.e., tyrosine and methionine). After partial structural changes by the initial radical attack, the internal sulfur-containing amino acid residues were rendered susceptible to transformation. By using the biomimetic model of dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline vesicle suspensions containing RNase A, the damage to methione residues could be connected to a parallel alteration of membrane unsaturated lipids. In fact, thiyl radical species formed from protein degradation can diffuse into the lipid bilayer and cause isomerization of the naturally occurring cis double bonds. As a consequence, trans unsaturated fatty acids are formed in vesicles and can be considered to be markers of this protein damage.

Animals↗

Effect of hydrogenated fat on the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels of man.

A group of 33 adult males was fed for 21 days a formula diet that supplied 38 per cent of their calories as fat. The fatty acid composition of the diet was 25 per cent saturates, 16 per cent polyunsaturates and 58 per cent monounsaturates. All of the unsaturated acids were in the cis configuration. The subjects were then divided into two groups. One group of 17 men continued on the same diet. In the diet of the remaining subjects, 80 per cent of the dietary fat was replaced with a hydrogenated fat. Over 60 per cent of the monounstaurated acids and approximately one-half of the polyunsaturated acids of the diet of this latter group were in the trans configuration. Except for the presence or absence of trans acids, the fatty acid intakes of the two groups were the same. Over the 4-week period that the two diets were consumed, the group receiving the hydrogenated fat showed no change in plasma cholesterol or triglyceride levels relative to the subjects consuming the unhydrogenated fat. It is concluded that the effect of a hydrogenated fat on blood lipid level is determined by its fatty acid composition and this effect is not altered by the isomeric form of the unsaturated acids.

Adult↗

Fat supplements affect fractional rates of ruminal fatty acid biohydrogenation and passage in dairy cows.

Rates of fatty acid biohydrogenation and passage were determined for fat supplements varying in saturation using lactating dairy cows. First-order fractional passage rates were determined by dividing the duodenal flux of fatty acids by their respective ruminal pool sizes. The determination of rates of biohydrogenation required the development of a model to account for the transfer of fatty acids among pools. Ruminally and duodenally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows (n = 8) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Treatments were control and a linear substitution of 25 g/kg supplemented fatty acids varying in saturation as follows: saturated (prilled hydrogenated free fatty acids), intermediate mix of saturated and unsaturated (calcium soaps of long-chain fatty acids), and partially unsaturated fatty acids. Passage rates of 16:0, 18:0, and total 18-carbon fatty acids were linearly decreased with increasing unsaturated fatty acids and the trans-18:1 fractional passage rate was quadratically affected with a maximum for the intermediate treatment. Increasing unsaturated fatty acids increased the extent of 18:2 and 18:3 biohydrogenation and decreased the extent of 18:1 and trans-18:1 biohydrogenation. Calcium salts did not protect PUFA from ruminal biohydrogenation despite a mean ruminal pH of 6.0, and unsaturated fatty acids decreased ruminal biohydrogenation of trans-18:1, resulting in increased duodenal flow of these fatty acids. The model allows a mechanistic description of ruminal biohydrogenation and determination of the extent of 18:1 biohydrogenation.

Animal Feed↗

Isolation and characterization of the calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) subtypes from bovine heart.

Protein kinase C was isolated from bovine heart by chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, phenyl-Sepharose, poly(L-lysine) agarose, and hydroxylapatite. Estimates based upon enzyme recovery indicate 10-20 nmol/min of protein kinase C activity per gram of bovine ventricular myocardium. Hydroxylapatite column chromatography resolved the preparation into two peaks of calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity. By Western blot analysis, peaks 1 and 2 contained subtypes II (beta 2) and III (alpha), respectively. No cross-reactivity was observed, indicating that separation was complete. Type III, the major subtype detected, was subsequently purified to apparent homogeneity by chromatography on phosphatidylserine (PS) acrylamide. Type II activity could not be recovered following phosphatidylserine affinity chromatography. Phospho amino acid analysis showed that type III autophosphorylated at serine residues, whereas type II autophosphorylated at both serine and threonine residues. Among the various phospholipids tested for activity, PS was the most effective. Both subtypes were activated by 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonylglycerol (SAG) in the presence of phosphatidylserine and calcium. Activation of both subtypes occurred at calcium concentrations of less than 1 microM. In addition to several similarities, these two subtypes showed differences in activation and kinetic properties: type II was activated by cardiolipin, 1,2-and 1,3-dioleoylglycerol, and both cis- and trans-unsaturated fatty acids. Type III was activated to a lesser degree by cardiolipin and showed no response to 1,3-dioleoylglycerol. Type III was activated to a greater extent by 1,2-diacylglycerols and by cis-unsaturated fatty acids. In the presence of PS and SAG, type II exhibited substantial activity in the presence of 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) without added calcium. Activation of types II and III by unsaturated fatty acids was independent of phospholipid and showed a lower apparent calcium affinity than that observed for activation by phosphatidylserine. These results show that cardiac protein kinase C subtypes II and III were functionally distinguishable and may play unique roles in the regulation of cardiac function.

Amino Acids↗

Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy and risk of early childhood asthma.

Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy may affect children's asthma risk by modulating early-life immune development. Type of fish intake may be important because of differences in fatty acid content. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a nested case-control study, selecting subjects from the Children's Health Study, a population-based study of school-aged children in southern California. Cases had physician-diagnosed asthma and controls were asthma-free by age 5 years. Mothers or guardians provided information on fish consumption during pregnancy in telephone interviews. We computed odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by using conditional logistic regression models that accounted for the sampling. In children born to mothers with a history of asthma, the OR of asthma was 0.20 (95% CI = 0.06-0.65) when mothers ate oily fish at least monthly during pregnancy compared with no consumption (p(trend) = 0.006). Maternal oily fish consumption during pregnancy did not benefit children of non-asthmatic mothers. In contrast, fish stick (a source of trans-fats) consumption during pregnancy increased asthma risk in children (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.18-3.51). Our results suggest that maternal oily fish intake during pregnancy may protect offspring from asthma; however, eating fish sticks during pregnancy may increase asthma risk in children.

Animals↗

Hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids by Treponema (Borrelia) strain B 2 5, a rumen spirochete.

The time course of hydrogenation of linoleic acid to trans-11-octadecenoic acid was observed in a growing culture of Treponema (Borrelia) strain B(2)5. A conjugated fatty acid, cis-9, trans-11-octadecadienoic acid, was identified as an intermediate in the process. The isomerase responsible for the conversion of linoleic acid to the conjugated fatty acid was found to be associated with a particulate fraction characterized by a high protein and lipid content in a 2:1 ratio. Optimum pH for isomerase activity was found to be 7.0 in 0.05 m potassium phosphate buffer. No cofactor requirements could be demonstrated for the isomerase. The sulfhydryl inhibiting agents, iodoacetamide, N-ethylmaleimide, and p-chloromercuribenzoate, inhibited isomerase activity. Isomerase activity was also inhibited by the metal chelators, o-phenanthroline, alpha, alpha'-bipyridyl, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and 8-hydroxyquinoline. Linoleic (Delta9, 12), linolenic (Delta9, 12, 15), and gamma-linolenic (Delta6, 9, 12) acids served as effective substrates for the isomerase; however, the derivatives of linoleic and linolenic acid did not.

Animals↗

Effects of high-fat diets on hepatic fatty acid oxidation in the rat. Isolation of rat liver peroxisomes by vertical-rotor centrifugation by using a self-generated, iso-osmotic, Percoll gradient.

1. Rat liver peroxisomal fractions were isolated in iso-osmotic Percoll gradients by using vertical-rotor centrifugation. The fractions obtained with rats given various dietary treatments were characterized. 2. The effect on peroxisomal beta-oxidation of feeding 15% by wt. of dietary fat for 3 weeks was investigated. High-fat diets caused induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, but diets rich in very-long-chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids produced a more marked induction. 3. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation induced by diets rich in very-long-chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids can oxidize such acids. Trans-isomers of mono-unsaturated fatty acids are oxidized at rates that are faster than, or similar to, those obtained with corresponding cis-isomers. 4. Rates of oxidation of [14-14C]erucic acid by isolated rat hepatocytes isolated from rats fed on high-fat diets increased with the time on those diets in a fashion very similar to that previously reported for peroxisomal beta-oxidation [see Neat, Thomassen & Osmundsen (1980) Biochem, J. 186, 369-371]. 5. Total liver capacities for peroxisomal beta-oxidation (expressed as acetyl groups produced per min) were estimated to range from 10 to 30% of mitochondrial capacities, depending on dietary treatment and fatty acid substrate. A role is proposed for peroxisomal beta-oxidation in relation to the metabolism of fatty acids that are poorly oxidized by mitochondrial beta-oxidation, and, in general, as regards oxidation of fatty acids during periods of sustained high hepatic influx of fatty acids.

Animals↗

Characterization of lysosomal acid lipase by site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is essential for the hydrolysis of cholesterol esters and triglycerides that are delivered to the lysosomes via the low density lipoprotein receptor system. The deficiency of LAL is associated with cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) and Wolman's disease (WD). We cloned the human LAL cDNA and expressed the active enzyme in the baculovirus system. Two molecular forms (M(r) approximately 41,000 and approximately 46,000) with different glycosylation were found intracellularly, and approximately 24% of the M(r) approximately 46,000 form was secreted into the medium. Tunicamycin treatment produced only an inactive M(r) approximately 41,000 form. This result implicates glycosylation occupancy in the proper folding for active-site function. Catalytic activity was greater toward cis- than trans-unsaturated fatty acid esters of 4-methylumbelliferone and toward esters with 7-carbon length acyl chains. LAL cleaved cholesterol esters and mono-, tri-, and diglycerides. Heparin had a biphasic effect on enzymatic activity with initial activation followed by inhibition. Inhibition of LAL activity by tetrahydrolipstatin and diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate suggested the presence of active serines in binding/catalytic domain(s) of the protein. Site-directed mutagenesis at two putative active centers, GXSXG, showed that Ser153 was important to catalytic activity, whereas Ser99 was not and neither was the catalytic nucleophile. Three reported mutations (L179P, L336P, and delta AG302 deletion) from CESD patients were created and expressed in the Sf9 cell system. None cleaved cholesterol esters, and L179P and L336P cleaved only triolein at approximately 4% of wild-type levels. These results suggest that mechanisms, in addition to LAL defects, may operate in the selective accumulation of cholesterol esters or triglycerides in CESD and WD patients.

Animals↗

Authenticity of milk fat by fast analysis of triacylglycerols. Application to the detection of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Detection of foreign fat in milk fat can be performed by analyzing triacylglycerols (TAGs) by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) using the standardized methodology. The standard methodology recommends the use of a packed column, which allows the separation of milk TAGs according to their chain length (total carbon number). This procedure is not widely applied because these columns are not commercially available. This study describes a fast methodology by using a short apolar open-tubular capillary column. The developed experimental conditions can be used to obtain the chromatographic resolution required in the standardized procedure, and the separation of milk fat TAGs (C24 to C54) is achieved in less than 4 min. As indicated by the standardized method, the quantification was performed by calibration using the certified reference material CRM-519 butterfat as standard substance. The methodology was fully validated and relative repeatability values were compared with the values provided in the standardized procedure. The developed method was applied to detect adulteration of milk fat with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs). PHVOs contain variable amount of trans-18:1 acids and two different PHVOs having different trans-18:1 acid levels (13 and 38%) were added to milk fat at levels ranging from 5 to 30%. The obtained mixtures were analyzed by GLC and formulas established by the European Union were applied. Calculated S values indicated that PHVOs in milk fat could be analyzed at these levels. Approximate amounts of PHVOs added to the composite samples could be calculated using the standardized formula. The impact of adulteration of milk fat with PHVOs, which contains an important amount of trans-9 and trans-10 18:1 acid isomers, was investigated as a complementary analytical criteria. We showed in composite samples, that the trans-18:1 acid isomeric distributions are distinct when referenced to the original milk fat profile and that trans-9 18:1 acid isomer is a good indicator of the occurrence of PHVOs in milk fat. Our results showed clearly that a short apolar capillary column can be used instead of a packed-column and that the mathematical model developed for the detection of foreign fat was suitable to detect adulteration of milk fat with PHVOs.

Animals↗

Trans-18:1 isomers in rat milk fat as effective biomarkers for the determination of individual isomeric trans-18:1 acids in the dams' diet.

Female rats were fed a diet containing by weight 10% partially hydrogenated sunflower oil, 2% sunflower oil, and 1% rapeseed oil during gestation and lactation. The trans-18:1 isomer profile of the fat supplement was (in % of total trans 18:1 acids in the fat supplement): delta4, 0.5; delta5, 1.0; delta6-delta8, 18.0; delta9 (elaidic), 13.5; delta10, 22.2; delta11 (vaccenic), 16.0; delta12, 11.3; delta13-delta14, 12.8; delta15, 2.5; and delta16, 2.2 (total trans 18:1 acids in the fat supplement: 40.6%). The cis 18:1 isomer profile was (in % of total cis-18:1 isomers): delta6-delta8, 2.1; delta9 (oleic), 70.9; delta10, 6.1; delta11, 8.3; delta12, 4.0; delta13, 2.8; delta14, 4.6, and delta15, 1.2 (total cis-18:1 acids in the fat supplement: 32.6%). Suckling rats from four litters were sacrificed at day 17 or 18 after birth, and their stomach content (milk) was analyzed. The trans-18:1 isomer profile of milk was (relative proportions, in % of total): delta4, 0.3; delta5, 1.1; delta6-delta8, 16.8; delta9, 15.3; delta10, 22.0; delta11, 16.7; delta12, 11.8; delta13-14, 11.8; delta15, 2.5, and delta16, 1.9 (total trans 18:1 acids in milk: %). That of cis-18:1 isomers was (proportions in % relative to total cis-18:1 isomers): delta6-delta8, 4.7; delta9, 72.5; delta10, 4.0; delta11, 8.0; delta12, 7.1; delta13, 1.9; delta14, 1.0, and delta15, 0.7 (total cis-18:1 acids in milk: %). These results demonstrate that all isomeric acids, independent of the geometry and the position of the ethylenic bond, are incorporated into milk lipids. With regard to trans-18:1 isomers, the distribution profile in milk is identical to that in the dams' diet, i.e., there is no discrimination against any positional isomer between their ingestion and their deposition into milk lipids. As a consequence, this study indicates that the trans-18:1 isomer profile of milk reflects that in the dams' diet and supports our earlier hypothesis that the profile of trans-18:1 isomers in milk can be used to deduce the relative contribution of ruminant fats and partially hydrogenated oils in the diet to the total intake of trans-18:1 isomers. On the other hand, the cis-18:1 isomer profile in milk shows significant differences when compared to that in the dams' diet. Surprisingly, there are no major differences for the cis-delta9 (oleic) and the cis-delta11 (asclepic) isomers, which can be synthesized by the mother. However, there seems to be a significant positive selectivity for the group cis-delta6-delta8, and for the cis-delta12 isomer, whereas a negative selectivity occurs for the delta10 and delta13 to delta15 cis isomers.

Animals↗

Determination of the toxicity of several aromatic carbonylic compounds and their reduced derivatives on Phanerochaete chrysosporium using a Pseudomonas putida test system.

We tested four aromatic carbonylic compounds and their corresponding reduced derivatives, possible substrates, and products of a biotransformation for toxicity against the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The bacterium Pseudomonas putida, which has been proven to be a good test organism for investigating toxic effects, was used as a primary screen. For both P. chrysosporium and P. putida, all ketones showed a higher toxicity than their corresponding alcohol derivatives. Within one chemical group a direct correlation between the hydrophobicity (logP values) of the compounds and their toxicity could be observed. Furthermore, all tested compounds also caused an isomerization of cis to trans unsaturated fatty acids in P. putida, a mechanism of this bacterium to adapt its membrane to toxic environmental influences. Toxicity of aromatic carbonylic compounds in an established biotransformation system with P. chrysosporium can be estimated by calculating the corresponding logP values of the substrates and potential products. P. putida can be used to test the toxicity of aromatic ketones to the basic diomycete P. chrysosporium.

Alcohols↗

Dietary cis and trans monounsaturated and saturated FA and plasma lipids and lipoproteins in men.

Trans monounsaturated fatty acids (TFA) are hypercholesterolemic compared to oleic acid to a degree approaching or equivalent to saturated FA. However, it is unknown to what extent these effects may be due to cholesterol lowering by oleic acid rather than elevation by saturated FA and TFA. In order to better understand the impact of replacing TFA in foods, it is first necessary to know the relative lipid-modifying effects of the major FA that change as TFA are lowered or removed. For 5 wk, 50 normocholesterolemic men were fed controlled diets providing approximately 15% of energy from protein, 39% from fat, and 46% from carbohydrate in a randomized, 6 x 6, crossover design. Eight percent of energy was replaced across diets with the following: carbohydrate (CHO) (1:1 simple to complex); oleic acid (OL); TFA; stearic acid (STE); TFA/STE (4% of energy from each); carbon 12:0-16:0 saturated FA (LMP). LDL cholesterol concentrations (mmol/L) were as follows (different superscripts indicate significance at P < or = 0.01): OL 2.95a; CHO 3.05a,b; STE 3.10b,c; LMP 3.21c,d; TFA + STE 3.32d,e; and TFA 3.36e. HDL cholesterol concentrations (mmol/L) were as allows: STE 1.16a; TFA 1.16a,b; TFA/STE 1.17a,b; CHO 1.19b; OL 1.24c; and LMP 1.30d. Triacylglycerides were highest after STE (1.13) and lowest after OL (0.88) (P < 0.001). Thus, compared to the carbohydrate control diet, TFA raised LDL cholesterol at least equivalent to LMP but had no effect on HDL cholesterol; STE had no effect on LDL cholesterol but lowered HDL cholesterol; LMP raised both LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol; and oleic acid raised HDL cholesterol but had no effect on LDL cholesterol.

Cross-Over Studies↗

Enzymology of long-chain base synthesis by liver: characterization of serine palmitoyltransferase in rat liver microsomes.

Serine palmitoyltransferase [palmitoyl-CoA:L-serine C-palmitoyltransferase (decarboxylating) EC 2.3.1.50] catalyzes the initial and committed step in the biosynthesis of the long-chain bases of sphingolipids. A simple assay, based upon the incorporation of [3H]serine into the chloroform-soluble product 3-ketosphinganine, has been developed and demonstrated to be valid for analyzing this enzyme in rat liver microsomes. More than 75% of the serine palmitoyltransferase of rat liver was associated with the microsomal subfraction. The dependencies of activity on the incubation time, pH, temperature, other assay components (e.g., dithiothreitol, EDTA, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate), and the concentrations of microsomal protein, L-serine, and palmitoyl-CoA were investigated. The requirement of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate for activity was established by formation of the apoenzyme by dialysis against cysteine, and recovery of full activity upon reconstitution with the coenzyme. Activities with fatty acyl-CoA's of varying alkyl chain length were distributed nearly symmetrically around a maximum at 16 carbons (palmitoyl-CoA) for the fully saturated substrates. Less activity was obtained with the CoA thioesters of cis-unsaturated fatty acids, but trans-9-hexadecenoyl-CoA yielded essentially the same activity as palmitoyl-CoA. Hence, this enzyme is capable of initiating the synthesis of the major long-chain bases, as well as compounds that may constitute the unidentified bases reported in analyses of mammalian sphingolipids.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Effect of trans-unsaturated fats on experimental atherosclerosis in vervet monkeys.

Vervet monkeys ( Ceropithecus aethiops pygerethrus ) were placed on semipurified diets containing 14% fat of which 3.2 or 6.0% was present as trans-unsaturated fatty acid (t-FA). Two groups were fed the high and low levels of t-FA for a year and two others were fed t-FA for 6 months and then returned to the control diet for 6 months more. One other group was fed the control diet for a year. The control diet contained 14% fat which was a mixture of 72% olive oil and 28% corn oil. There were no significant differences in weight gain. Monkeys fed 6% t-FA or control diets for one year had lowest liver weights. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in monkeys fed 3.2% t-FA for one year were 134 and 55 mg/dl, respectively; in monkeys returned to control diet after 6 months on 6% t-FA the values were 146 and 50 g/dl. Serum and triglyceride levels for the other 3 groups were 166 +/- 2 and 70 +/- 2 mg/dl. Liver cholesterol levels ranged from 4.0 mg/g (3.2% t-FA) to 4.7 mg/g (control) and 4.8 mg/g (6% t-FA). Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was 59.0 microM/h for controls and ranged from 52.4 microM/h (3.2% t-FA) to 73.4 microM/h (6% t-FA). Cholesterol synthesis by liver slices was not affected by diet when the substrate was acetate. When mevalonate was used, the monkeys fed either level of t-FA for 12 months exhibited greatly reduced (about 80%) cholesterogenesis. The levels of t-FA in serum and liver reflected the amount in the diet. After being returned to control diet levels of t-FA in serum and liver of monkeys (fed 3.2% t-FA) fell by 97 and 94%, respectively, and those in serum and liver of monkeys fed 6% t-FA fell by 65 and 91%. There were no significant differences in aortic atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗