Effect of linolenic acids and linoleic and of choline on the metabolism of fatty acids in rat brain

Abstract

Equal amounts of ethyl linoleate and linolenate were fed together to rats on a fat-free diet during different periods of time. In addition choline was fed to a group of the animals. The fatty acid composition of brain-phosphatides was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Dietary linolenate inhibits the incorporation of linoleate and its derivatives into phosphatides. Choline favours the incorporation of linoleate and of C-n-fatty acids. Eicosatrienoic acid appears in brain phosphatides of fat-deficient rats and is depressed by these essential fatty acids; in choline-fed rats, eicosatrienoic acid is incorporated to a lesser extent.