Fatty acid synthesis during fat-free refeeding of starved rats

Abstract

Refeeding starved rats a fat-free diet over a 48 hr period brings about a marked elevation in the activity of the enzymes in liver cytoplasm which catalyze the synthesis of saturated fatty acids from acetyl CoA and malonyl CoA. Acetate incorporation into palmitoleic and oleic acid is also accelerated during this period. Enhanced capability for the synthesis of these fatty acids is reflected in the net accumulation of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, as well as the triglyceride fraction of the liver lipids. Coincident with these events the relative amount of linoleic acid among liver fatty acids rapidly falls. These changes are substantially the same as those observed in early linoleic acid deficiency.

Keywords

• rat
• liver
• linoleic acid
• fatty acid composition
• fatty acid biosynthesis
• acetyl CoA carboxylase