Differential effects of dietary fatty acids on fatty acid composition of phosphotidylinositol in calf tissues

Abstract

Fatty acid compositions of phosphatidylinositol (PI) in calf liver, heart, muscle, and brain were measured, as affected by dietary treatments. High Cu intake (1000 ppm) decreased 18:0 in liver PI and increased 18:1 n-9 and 18:2 n-6 in liver and heart; the reversed changes were observed in skeletal muscle PI. Additional high Zn intake (1000 ppm) inhibited the high Cu effects. Feeding an essential fatty acid (EFA) deficient diet markedly decreased 18:2 n-6, 20:3 n-6, and 20:4 n-6, and increased 18:1 and 20:3 n-9 in liver and heart PI. A high intake of 18:2 n-6 (corn oil) increased 18:2 n-6, but decreased 20:4 n-6, in liver, heart and muscle PI. Dietary fish oil concentrate (high in eicosapentaenoic acid) increased 20:5 n-3 in liver, heart, and muscle PI. Fatty acid composition of brain PI was resistant to different dietary regimens. Dietary imposed changes in fatty acid composition of PI in liver, heart, and muscle may have important implications in transmembrane signalling, eicosanoid production and other functions attributed to PI in tissues.