Fatty acid profiles of undifferentiated and differentiated white and brown adipose cell lines supplemented with alpha‐linolenic acid (821.5)

Abstract

Introduction. Adipose tissue is a complex endocrine organ which coordinates several crucial biological functions including fatty acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, energy homeostasis, and immune function. White adipose tissue (WAT) stores energy, while brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy.Our aim was to characterize fatty acid profiles of the undifferentiated and differentiated WAT and BAT transformed cells.Methods. Mouse WAT and BAT cells were grown in regular media to confluence, and differentiation was induced. At days 10, 12 and 14, cell were supplemented with 50 μM of albumin bound alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA). Cells with no ALA supplementation served as controls. Twenty‐four hours after supplementation, fatty acid profiles of the cells were analyzed by GC and structural mass spectrometry.Results. ALA supplementation caused increase in cellular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) with no change in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) levels in undifferentiated and differentiated WAT cells. Differentiated WAT cells accumulated more EPA. However, differentiated BAT cells accumulate significant amounts of DHA when compared to undifferentiated cells.Conclusion. When provided with ALA, WAT cells accumulate EPA with no change in DHA; BAT cells accumulate EPA and DHA.Grant Funding Source: NIH R01AT007003