Increased 5′ nucleotidase activity in plasma membranes from rat liver following ingestion of fish oil

Abstract

The effect of n-3 fatty acid enriched diets on the membrane compositions of rat liver was studied. Sprague Dawley rats maintained on 10% menhaden oil enriched diet showed two to four fold increase in n-3 fatty acid levels and a 35% decrease in arachidonic acid in liver plasma membrane phospholipids. The specific activity of 5′-nucleotidase enzyme in n-3 fatty acid enriched membranes was two times higher than in liver membranes from control rats. These studies indicate that dietary n-3 fatty acids are incorporated into membrane lipids and influences the membrane associated enzyme activity.