Effects of infusion of some prostaglandins in essential fatty acid-deficient and normal rats

Abstract

Infusion of 1 mg/kg per day of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for 2 and 7 wk failed to correct the dermal signs of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in rats despite the known conversion of EFA to certain prostaglandins. PGE1 caused no significant changes in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, or phospholipids or in liver neutral lipids in EFA-deficient or normal rats. In normal rats epinephrine-induced lipolysis was greater in fat pads from infused than from untreated rats. The effect on epinephrine-induced lipolysis was greater after the 7 wk infusion than after the 2 wk infusion. The 7 wk infusion also lowered plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations. Infusion of PGE2 and PGF2α in combination for 4 wk had no significant effect on either dermal signs of EFA deficiency, lipolysis, or plasma FFA concentrations.

Keywords

• prostaglandin E1
• E2
• F2α
• essential fatty acid deficiency
• lipolysis
• plasma free fatty acids